System and method for quality management utilizing barcode indicators

ABSTRACT

A quality management system for products including a multiplicity of barcoded quality indicators, a barcode indicator reader and a product type responsive indication interpreter, each of the barcoded quality indicators including a first barcode including at least one first colorable area, the first barcode being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time and temperature threshold, at least a second barcode including at least one second colorable area, the second barcode not being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time and temperature threshold, a coloring agent located at a first location on the indicator and a coloring agent pathway operative to allow the coloring agent to move, from the first location to the first and second colorable areas simultaneously thereby causing the first barcode to become unreadable and at the same time causing the second barcode to become machine-readable.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL07/000,547, filedMay 6, 2007 and entitled “A System And Method For Improved QualityManagement In A Product Logistic Chain”, to PCT Patent Application No.PCT/IL07/01411, filed Nov. 14, 2007 and entitled “A System And MethodFor Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators”, to PCT PatentApplication No. PCT/IL2008/001495, filed Nov. 13, 2008 and entitled “ASystem And Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators”,to PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL2008/001494, filed Nov. 13, 2008 andentitled “A System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing BarcodeIndicators” and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/131,644, filedJun. 10, 2008 and entitled “A System And Method For Quality ManagementUtilizing Barcode Indicators”, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

Priority is hereby claimed under 37 CFR 1.78(a) (1) and (2)(i) from PCTPatent Application No. PCT/IL2008/001495, filed Nov. 13, 2008 andentitled “A System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing BarcodeIndicators” and PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL2008/001494, filed Nov.13, 2008 and entitled “A System And Method For Quality ManagementUtilizing Barcode Indicators”, and under 37 CFR 1.78(a) (4) and (5)(i)from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/131,644, filed Jun. 10, 2008and entitled “A System And Method For Quality Management UtilizingBarcode Indicators”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to quality management systems andmethodologies and to indicators useful in such systems andmethodologies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following U.S. patents relate generally to the subject matter of thepresent application: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,758,397, 6,009,400, 6,685,094,7,157,048, 7,156,597 and RE 39,226.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide improved quality managementsystems and methodologies as well as indicators useful in such systemsand methodologies.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention a quality management system for products including amultiplicity of barcoded quality indicators each operative to provide amachine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one time andtemperature threshold, a barcode indicator reader operative to read thebarcoded quality indicators and to provide output indications and aproduct type responsive indication interpreter operative to receive theoutput indications and to provide human sensible, product quality statusoutputs, each of the barcoded quality indicators being operative toprovide a single machine-readable barcode readable by the barcodeindicator reader, generally at all times including times prior to,during and immediately following exceedance of the at least one time andtemperature threshold. Each of the barcoded quality indicators includesa first barcode including at least one first colorable area, the firstbarcode being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least onetime and temperature threshold, at least a second barcode including atleast one second colorable area, the second barcode not beingmachine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time andtemperature threshold, a coloring agent located at a first location onthe indicator and a coloring agent pathway operative to allow thecoloring agent to move, at a rate which is at least partially a functionof time, from the first location to the first and second colorable areassimultaneously for simultaneous coloring thereof upon exceedance of thetime and temperature threshold, thereby causing the first barcode tobecome unreadable and at the same time causing the second barcode tobecome machine-readable.

Preferably, the barcoded quality indicators include linear barcodes.Additionally or alternatively, the first barcode and the at least secondbarcode are each operative to indicate a numerical or alphanumericalsequence.

Preferably, the first barcode complies with a first barcode standard andthe at least second barcode complies with a barcode standard differentfrom the first barcode standard.

Preferably, each of the multiplicity of barcoded quality indicatorsprovides a first machine-readable indication prior to the exceedance ofthe at least one time and temperature threshold and a secondmachine-readable indication, different from the first machine-readableindication, following the exceedance of the at least one time andtemperature threshold.

Preferably, at least one of the quality indicators is operative toprovide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of a time period ofless than ten minutes. Additionally or alternatively, at least one ofthe quality indicators is operative to provide indications of exceedanceof several different thresholds.

Preferably, at least one of the quality indicators is operative toprovide the machine-readable indication only following actuationthereof. Additionally, prior to the actuation at least one of thequality indicator is in a first visible state and following theactuation at least one of the quality indicator is in a second visiblestate, different from the first visible state, and at least one of thequality indicator is machine-readable at least in the second visiblestate. Additionally, at least one of the indicators is notmachine-readable when the indicator is in the first visible state.Alternatively, at least one of the indicators is machine-readable whenthe indicator is in the first visible state.

Preferably, at least one of the quality indicators is operative toprovide the machine-readable indication only upon activation thereofwhich occurs automatically a predetermined time following manufacture oractuation thereof.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodimentof the present invention a barcoded quality indicator operative toprovide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one timeand temperature threshold including a first barcode including at leastone first colorable area, the first barcode being machine-readablebefore exceedance of the at least one time and temperature threshold, atleast a second barcode including at least one second colorable area, thesecond barcode not being machine-readable before exceedance of the atleast one time and temperature threshold, a coloring agent located at afirst location on the indicator and a coloring agent pathway operativeto allow the coloring agent to move, at a rate which is at leastpartially a function of time, from the first location to the first andsecond colorable areas simultaneously for simultaneous coloring thereofupon exceedance of the time and temperature threshold, thereby causingthe first barcode to become unreadable and at the same time causing thesecond barcode to become machine-readable.

Preferably, the coloring agent pathway is operative to allow thecoloring agent to move by diffusing from the first location to the firstand the second colorable areas. Preferably, the first location isintermediate the ends of the first and the second barcodes. Additionallyor alternatively, generally at any time prior to, during and immediatelyfollowing exceedance of the time and temperature threshold only one ofthe barcodes is readable.

Preferably, the quality indicator further includes a pull strip, thepull strip being suitable to prevent the passage of solvents andcoloring agents therethrough before removal thereof, and wherein removalof the pull strip actuates the indicator. Additionally or alternatively,the quality indicator further includes an activation delay layerdissolvable by a solvent, the activation delay layer being suitable toprevent the passage of coloring agents and solvents therethrough beforedissolution thereof and wherein the indicators are not activated untildissolution of the delay layer.

There is additionally provided in accordance with yet another preferredembodiment of the present invention a method for providing qualitymanagement for products including employing a multiplicity of barcodedquality indicators each operative to provide a machine-readableindication of exceedance of at least one time and temperature threshold,each of the barcoded quality indicators being operative to provide asingle machine-readable barcode, generally at all times including timesprior to, during and immediately following exceedance of the at leastone time and temperature threshold, reading the barcoded qualityindicators to provide output indications, receiving the outputindications and interpreting the output indications to provide humansensible, product quality status outputs. Each of the barcoded qualityindicators includes a first barcode including at least one firstcolorable area, the first barcode being machine-readable beforeexceedance of the at least one time and temperature threshold, at leasta second barcode including at least one second colorable area, thesecond barcode not being machine-readable before exceedance of the atleast one time and temperature threshold, a coloring agent located at afirst location on the indicator and a coloring agent pathway operativeto allow the coloring agent to move, at a rate which is at leastpartially a function of time, from the first location to the first andsecond colorable areas simultaneously for simultaneous coloring thereofupon exceedance of the time and temperature threshold, thereby causingthe first barcode to become unreadable and at the same time causing thesecond barcode to become machine-readable.

There is also provided in accordance with an additional preferredembodiment of the present invention a quality management system forproducts including a multiplicity of barcoded quality indicators eachoperative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of atleast one threshold by one or more product quality affecting parameters,a barcode indicator reader operative to read the barcoded qualityindicators and to provide output indications and a product typeresponsive indication interpreter operative to receive the outputindications and to provide human sensible, product quality statusoutputs, each of the barcoded quality indicators being operative toprovide a single machine-readable barcode readable by the barcodeindicator reader, generally at all times including times prior to,during and immediately following exceedance of the at least onethreshold. Each of the barcoded quality indicators includes a firstbarcode including at least one first colorable area, the first barcodebeing machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one threshold,at least a second barcode including at least one second colorable area,the second barcode not being machine-readable before exceedance of theat least one threshold, a coloring agent located at a first location onthe indicator and a coloring agent pathway operative to allow thecoloring agent to move, at a rate which is at least partially a functionof time, from the first location to the first and second colorable areassimultaneously for simultaneous coloring thereof upon exceedance of thethreshold, thereby causing the first barcode to become unreadable and atthe same time causing the second barcode to become machine-readable.

Preferably, one of the one or more product quality affecting parametersis time. Additionally or alternatively, one of the one or more productquality affecting parameters is temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIGS. 1A-1C together are a simplified illustration of a system andmethodology for quality management constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2C together are a simplified illustration of a system andmethodology for quality management constructed and operative inaccordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a simplified illustration of a quality indicator constructedand operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention for indicating elapsed time in temperature history;

FIG. 3B is a simplified illustration of a quality indicator constructedand operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention for indicating elapsed time in temperature historywith delayed activation;

FIG. 3C is a simplified illustration of a quality indicator constructedand operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention for indicating elapsed time in temperature history;

FIG. 3D is a simplified illustration of a quality indicator constructedand operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention for indicating elapsed time in temperature historywith delayed activation;

FIGS. 4A-4E together are a simplified illustration of the structure andoperation of an example of the quality indicator of FIG. 3A, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A-5F together are a simplified illustration of the structure andoperation of an example of the quality indicator of FIG. 3B, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A-6F together are a simplified illustration of the structure andoperation of an example of the quality indicator of FIG. 3C, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A-7G together are a simplified illustration of the structure andoperation of an example of the quality indicator of FIG. 3D, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of aquality management system constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention in the context of asupermarket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A-1C which together are a simplifiedillustration of a system and methodology for quality managementconstructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. As seen in FIGS. 1A-1C, there is shown a qualitymanagement system and methodology for products including a multiplicityof quality indicators, here shown in the form of changeable barcodeindicators, each operative to provide a machine-readable, preferablybarcode-reader-readable, indication of exceedance of at least onethreshold by at least one product quality affecting parameter, at leastone indicator reader operative to read the quality indicators and toprovide output indications and a product type responsive indicationinterpreter operative to receive the output indications and to providehuman sensible, product quality status outputs.

Preferably, as elaborated hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 8, inaddition to receiving the output indications provided by the indicatorreader the indication interpreter may also receive product-relatedparameters such as product type, for example “meat”, and productmanufacturing date. Additionally or alternatively, the indicationinterpreter may receive other parameters, for example informationrelating to the quality indicator, such as the range of parameterssensed by the quality indicator, when the quality indicator wasactuated, and whether the quality indicator includes a delayedactivation feature. Additionally or alternatively, the indicationinterpreter may also received parameters relating to the source of theoutput indications provided, for example, whether the output indicationswere provided by a hand held device during inspection, or by thecheckout scanner of a retail store.

The product-related parameters and the other parameters, such as thoserelating to the quality indicator may be provided by the qualityindicator itself or by an additional, separate indicator, such as abarcode-bearing indicator. As a further alternative, these parametersmay be provided by sensors, a priori information otherwise available tothe indication interpreter or by manual entry.

The indication interpreter preferably forms part of or is otherwiseconnected to a quality indication computer, which may be remote from theindicator reader and which preferably includes a decision tableproviding product quality status outputs based on the output indicationsprovided by the indicator reader and the additional parameters.

It is appreciated that the additional parameters may be provided viaanother part of the same indicator or by another barcoded indicatorassociated with the same product. Alternatively, the additionalparameters may be provided by other methods, such as using RFIDtechnology.

The term “barcode” is used herein to refer to a machine-readable opticalcode. In the examples in the specification, linear, or one-dimensionalbarcodes are illustrated. It is appreciated that the invention may beapplicable to two dimensional barcodes as well.

Each barcode standard includes rules which govern the proper reading ofthe barcode. A typical barcode includes start indicia representing thestart of the barcode, stop indicia representing the end of the barcodeand digital indicia representing digits positioned therebetween. Eachdigit of the barcode is indicated by a series of bars and spaces eachhaving a predetermined width. For example, in the 2 of 5 Interleavedbarcode standard, each digit is indicated by two wide bars and threenarrow bars. The UPC and the EAN128 barcode standards include middleindicia with different rules for indicating digits on either side of themiddle indicia. Additionally, some barcode standards employ a checksumdigit, which is calculated according to a mathematical formula based onthe barcode symbol digits and is used as a control for the validity ofthe barcode.

Accordingly, a machine-readable barcode can be rendered unreadable inseveral different ways. For example, the series of bars forming thestart or the stop indicia can be changed by adding or deleting bars orspaces, or by changing the width thereof. Such a change can cause thebarcode reader not to recognize the start or the end of the barcodesymbol resulting in the barcode not being readable. Another possibilityis adding or deleting bars or spaces of the digital indicia or changingthe width thereof so that a series of bars and spaces indicating a digitno longer indicates a digit according to the standard employed. Yetanother possibility is making the above changes to a series of bars andspaces indicating a digit such that a different digit is indicated afterthe change and calculating the checksum digit including the changeddigit results in a checksum digit different from the checksum digitindicated in the barcode, thereby causing the barcode to become invalid.A similar change causing invalidity of the barcode can also be made tothe bars indicating the checksum digit itself.

Similarly, an unreadable barcode can be rendered machine-readable byadding or deleting bars or spaces or changing the width thereof. Forexample, bars forming the start or the stop indicia in a barcode wherethe start or the end are not properly indicated can be changed asexplained above in order to properly form start or stop indicia.Similarly, an unreadable series of bars can be made to indicate a digitby adding or deleting bars or spaces or changing the width thereof. Forexample, according to the 2 or 5 Interleaved barcode standard, eachdigit is indicated by two wide bars and three narrow bars. If, forexample, a readable barcode was rendered unreadable by changing a narrowbar into a wide bar, then changing a wide bar into a narrow bar canrender the barcode readable. Similarly, if a barcode is unreadablebecause the checksum digit does not match the other barcode digits, thenthe bars indicating one of the digits or the checksum digit can bechanged as explained above to restore barcode validity.

The quality indicator may incorporate a product code such as an EAN(European Article Number) or a UPC code (Universal Product Code). Theexamples shown in the description which follows all illustrate the useof an EAN code. Alternatively, the quality indicator may incorporate a 2of 5 interleaved barcode or any other suitable barcode ormachine-readable methodology. It is appreciated that bars of onedimensional barcodes correspond to cells in Data Matrix two dimensionalbarcodes and instead of the “start” and “stop” indicia of onedimensional barcodes, two adjacent borders defining a “finder pattern”are used in the Data Matrix two dimensional barcodes to locate andorient the symbol.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thequality indicator includes barcodes complying with GS1 (GeneralSpecifications) standards, which are outlined at www.gs1.org. Accordingto GS1 standards, the three left-most digits are usually assigned to acountry. In Israel, the seven, nine or ten left-most digits, includingthe country code, represent the supplier's code and the remainingright-most digits are used by each supplier. For example, as seen in theillustrated embodiments of the present application, the three left-mostdigits are 729, the GS1 country code assigned to Israel. The tenleft-most digits, including the country code, represent a supplier'scode and the three right-most digits are changeable by the supplier andcombinations thereof are used in this application for indicatingexceedance of thresholds.

It is appreciated that the ten left-most digits including the countrycode, which are generally assigned to a supplier, may be dedicated toindicating unsaleable goods, regardless of the event which lead to thegoods becoming unsaleable.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thequality indicator is operative to provide a machine-readable indicationof exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one product qualityaffecting parameter. Preferably, one of the product quality affectingparameters is time and the quality indicator is operative to provide amachine-readable indication of the exceedance of a very short timeperiod, for example ten minutes. In a preferred embodiment illustratedin the description and drawings of this application, the qualityindicator is operative to provide an indication of exceedance onlyfollowing actuation thereof. Alternatively, the quality indicator may beoperative to provide an indication of exceedance without actuation.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thequality indicator has a visible pre-actuation state, a different visiblepost-actuation state and at least one visible state indicatingexceedance of a corresponding one of at least one threshold. The variousstates are preferably all machine-readable by a conventional barcodereader.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the qualityindicator is machine-readable generally at all times and presents oneand only one machine-readable barcode generally at any given time. Theterm “generally” means at all times possibly except for very short timeperiods, such as time periods of less than five minutes, which may occurduring exceedance of a threshold. During these short time periods thequality indicator may present more or less than one machine-readablebarcode. Alternatively, one or more of the visible states of the qualityindicator may not be machine-readable by a conventional barcode readerand the fact that they cannot be read provides status information. Forexample, various situations in which a product is not to be sold or usedmay be indicated as non-readable states of the quality indicator.Alternatively, the quality indicator may only become readable followingactuation thereof. According to another embodiment of the presentinvention the quality indicator includes visible states wherein theindicator presents more than one machine-readable barcode at the sametime.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the quality indicatorincludes at least two different barcodes preferably arranged in astacked arrangement, each barcode having at least two visible states.Preferably, at any given time the visible state of only one of thebarcodes forming part of an indicator is machine-readable and thereforethe indicator presents a single machine-readable barcode at any giventime. Alternatively, in one or more states of the indicator all of thebarcodes forming part thereof may be in visible states which are notmachine-readable. The quality indicator does not present amachine-readable barcode at these one or more states and the fact thatthe indicator cannot be read provides status information as detailedabove.

Preferably, the barcodes forming part of an indicator are aligned suchthat the axes thereof are generally parallel to each other. According toa preferred embodiment illustrated in the description and drawings ofthis application, the bars of one barcode do not lie in registrationwith the corresponding bars of another barcode but rather are slightlyoffset with respect to each other. Alternatively, the bars of onebarcode lie in registration with the corresponding bars of anotherbarcode.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each ofthe barcodes forming part of a quality indicator includes a variablebarcode having at least one colorable area. Preferably, at least one ofthe colorable areas in each barcode is operative to become colored oruncolored at the same time as a colorable area of at least one otherbarcode forming part of the same indicator, thereby causing at least twobarcodes to simultaneously change.

Preferably, the colorable areas have the same width as a single barcodebar. Alternatively, at least one colorable area has a width differentfrom that of a single barcode bar.

For the purposes of the present specification and claims, colorableareas which are operative to become colored or uncolored at the sametime are together referred to as a colorable common area.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention a colorablecommon area which forms part of a first barcode and a second barcode isinitially uncolored. The first barcode is machine-readable in its firstvisible state and the second barcode is not machine-readable in itsfirst visible state. Upon actuation or upon exceedance of a thresholdthe colorable common area becomes colored thereby, at the same timecausing the machine-readable first barcode to assume a second visiblestate which is not machine-readable and the unreadable second barcode toassume a second visible state which is machine-readable. Preferably, thesecond barcode in the machine-readable second visible state is differentfrom the first barcode in the machine-readable first visible state.Accordingly, the indicator presents a first machine-readable barcodeprior to actuation or exceedance of the threshold and a secondmachine-readable barcode, which is preferably different from the firstmachine-readable barcode, following actuation or exceedance of athreshold.

To further elaborate on the preferred embodiment described above, aquality indicator operative for indicating the exceedance of twothresholds without actuation may include, for example, three barcodes,I, II and III. Barcode I is machine-readable in its first visible stateand barcodes II and III are not machine-readable in their first visiblestates. A first colorable common area useful for indicating theexceedance of a first threshold forms part of barcodes I and II. Asecond colorable common area useful for indicating the exceedance of asecond threshold, which can occur only following exceedance of the firstthreshold, forms part of barcodes II and III. Before exceedance of athreshold the quality indicator presents a single machine-readablebarcode, barcode I.

Upon exceedance of the first threshold the first colorable common areabecomes colored thereby, at the same time causing the machine-readablebarcode I to assume a second visible state which is not machine-readableand the unreadable barcode II to assume a second visible state which ismachine-readable and different from the machine-readable first visiblestate of barcode I. At this point the quality indicator presents asingle machine-readable barcode, barcode II.

Upon exceedance of the second threshold the second colorable common areabecomes colored thereby, at the same time causing the machine-readablebarcode II in the second visible state to assume a third visible statewhich is not machine-readable and the unreadable barcode III to assume asecond visible state which is machine-readable and different from themachine-readable first visible state of barcode I and themachine-readable second visible state of barcode II. At this point thequality indicator presents a single machine-readable barcode, barcodeIII. Thus, at any time prior to, during and following exceedance of eachthreshold the indicator presents one machine-readable barcode.

The quality indicator may be rendered operative for indicating theexceedance of additional thresholds by including additional barcodes andadditional colorable common areas in accordance with the abovedescription.

It is appreciated that instead of using a separate barcode forindicating different events, one or more barcodes may each be used forindicating multiple events. For example, if the addition of a firstbarcode bar causes a barcode in a first machine-readable state to assumean unreadable state and the addition of a second barcode bar causes thesame barcode in the unreadable state to assume a second machine-readablestate then the first machine-readable state may be used for indicatingone event and the second machine-readable state may be used forindicating a different event.

It is also appreciated that in order to provide indication of exceedanceof unrelated thresholds which could occur at any order, the indicatormay include a set of barcodes with colorable common areas, as describedabove, for each such threshold. The indicator in this case may present amachine-readable barcode for each threshold indicating the statusthereof and therefore the indicator may present multiplemachine-readable barcodes at a certain point in time.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention barcodesforming part of a quality indicator are each capable of indicating anynumerical or alphanumerical sequence. Additionally or alternatively,barcodes forming part of a quality indicator are each capable ofcomplying with any suitable barcode standard, including but not limitedto EAN, UPC, 2 of 5 Interleaved, code39, code 39 extended, code 93, code93 extended, code 128, code 128 A, B and C, ISBN, Code bar and DataMatrix. Accordingly, different barcodes forming part of the same qualityindicator can comply with different barcode standards. For example, aquality indicator can include a first barcode complying with the EAN13standard and a second barcode complying with the 2 of 5 Interleavedstandard. Consequently, if the barcode reader of a checkout scanner isoperative to read only the EAN13 barcode standard, then, once the firstbarcode becomes unreadable, the indicator no longer presents a readablebarcode to the checkout scanner. However, the indicator is stillreadable by a barcode reader operative to read the 2 of 5 Interleavedstandard.

Turning now to FIGS. 1A-1C, the present invention is illustrated in thecontext of a typical application, here a meat processing plant. Abarcoded quality indicator 100 is attached to or otherwise incorporatedinto each package 101 of processed meat. A package bearing a barcodedquality indicator 100 is typically an individual package suitable forretail sale.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thequality indicators 100 may be assembled and/or actuated at the samelocation or at a location adjacent that at which the quality indicators100 are associated with packages 101. A suitable indicator assembler isindicated by reference numeral 102. It is appreciated that indicatorassembler 102 may be associated with an automatic actuator. It isfurther appreciated that the actuator may be automatic and may actuatethe quality indicator after it has been produced by indicator assembler102.

As seen in FIG. 1A, additional barcoded quality indicators 103, whichare preferably different from the quality indicators 100, are attachedto or otherwise incorporated into cartons 104 containing packages 101 ofprocessed meat bearing quality indicators 100. Preferably, the qualityindicators 103 are assembled by an indicator assembler 105 which issimilar to the quality indicator assembler 102, but is placed at alocation which is different from the location of the quality indicatorassembler 102. Alternatively, the quality indicators 103 may beassembled by the quality indicator assembler 102.

Different types of indicators may be employed for different types ofpackages. For example, the quality indicator used on a carton containinga plurality of individual packages may be more or less accurate or havea greater or lesser dynamic range of indications than the qualityindicator used on an individual package. The dynamic range of anindicator may be a greater or lesser range of temperatures and/or oftimes. Additionally or alternatively, the quality indicator on a cartonmay include an indicator capable of indicating exceedance of additionalthresholds, not included in the quality indicators of individualpackages contained therein, or fewer thresholds than the qualityindicators of individual packages contained therein.

In the illustrated embodiment, the quality indicators include an EAN(European Article Number) barcode. The quality indicators 100 arepreferably constructed to be actuatable by pulling a pull strip 106forming part thereof, as indicated by reference numeral 107. In theillustrated embodiment, the quality indicators 100 preferably have avisible pre-actuation state I, a different visible post-actuation stateII and a visible state III indicating exceedance of a predeterminedtemperature, for example 21 degrees Celsius, for at least apredetermined cumulative amount of time, for example ten minutes, asseen at reference numeral 125 in FIG. 1C.

The visible states are readable by a barcode reader. For example, inthis illustrated embodiment, the pre-actuation state I is read as7290003804108, the post-actuation state II is read as 7290003804122 andthe visible state III is read as 7290003804115.

As further seen in FIG. 1A, the quality indicators 103 are preferablyconstructed to be actuatable by pulling pull strip 108 forming partthereof, as indicated by reference numeral 109. In the illustratedembodiment, the indicators 103 preferably have a visible pre-actuationstate IV, readable by a barcode reader typically as 7290003804146. Theindicators 103 preferably have a visible post-actuation state V which isdifferent from pre-actuation state IV and is readable by a barcodereader typically as 7290003804153. The indicators 103 preferably alsohave an additional at least one visible state VI as seen, for example,at reference numeral 110 in FIG. 1A and at reference numeral 119 in FIG.1B, indicating exceedance of a predetermined temperature, for example 12degrees Celsius, for at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time,for example one hour. This further visible state is readable by abarcode reader typically as 7290003804160.

Alternatively, any of the visible states IV, V and VI of the qualityindicators 103 may be associated with barcodes which are the same asbarcodes associated with states of the quality indicators 100. If thesame barcode is associated with states of both types of indicators, thenthe identity of the quality indicator read by a barcode reader isprovided to the indication interpreter by another method, for example bya manual entry to the database.

It is appreciated that the predetermined temperatures and thepredetermined cumulative amounts of time may be selected as appropriatefor a given application.

It is appreciated that as long as the temperature of the packages 101does not exceed a predetermined temperature for at least a predeterminedtotal amount of time, for example 21 degrees Celsius for ten minutes,indicators 100 remain in the visible state II.

As seen in FIG. 1A, as long as the temperature of the cartons 104 doesnot exceed a predetermined temperature for at least a predeterminedtotal amount of time, for example 12 degrees Celsius for one hour, thequality indicators 103 remain in the visible state V.

As further seen in FIG. 1A, if during loading of truck A as indicated byreference numeral 110, the temperature on the outside of one or morecartons 104 is at least 30 degrees Celsius for a period of five and ahalf hours, which is more then the predetermined temperature of 12degrees Celsius and the predetermined total amount of time of one hour,the corresponding indicators 103 assume the further visible state VI.This further visible state VI does not revert to the visible state Vnotwithstanding that the temperature of the carton 104 subsequentlydrops below the predetermined temperature. These cartons, when receivedby the customer, will be subject to inspection to determine whether thetemperature of the packages 101 inside the cartons 104 exceededpredetermined time and temperature thresholds.

Accordingly, upon inspection, as upon delivery, the quality indicators103 attached to the cartons 104 which were exposed to a temperature ofat least 30 degrees Celsius for a period of five and a half hours may beread by an inspector using a conventional barcode reader 113. Thebarcode in its visible state VI preferably provides information to thequality indication computer 115 which enables the indication interpreterforming part thereof to provide an immediate indication of a qualitystatus, such as a BAD indication 116. This BAD indication 116 indicatesthat at some time in the history of the quality indicator 103, thecarton 104 to which it was attached was at least at the predeterminedtemperature for at least a predetermined total amount of time and thatthis event may have rendered one or more of the products in carton 104unacceptable for sale.

Should the quality indicator 103 be in the visible state IV, indicatingthat proper actuation of the quality indicator 103 did not occur, aNON-ACTUATED indication or a BAD indication may be provided to aninspector or other interested party.

It is appreciated that until the cartons 104 are opened, which normallyoccurs only upon delivery, it is impractical to visually inspect theindicators 100 which are attached to the individual packages 101 insidethe cartons 104. Depending on the circumstances, the temperature of theindividual packages 101 within a carton 104 may or may not have exceeded21 degrees Celsius for ten minutes and the indicators 100 which areattached to the packages 101 may or may not be in the further visiblestate III. This normally can only be seen upon opening the cartons 104as shown in FIG. 1C.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that the time andtemperature thresholds of the quality indicators 100 and 103, placed onthe individual packages and the cartons containing them respectively,are preferably related in order to provide highly effective cold chainmanagement. It is preferable that indicators 103 provide a time intemperature warning even if, upon inspection, the indicators 100 showthat the individual packages 101 have not experienced unacceptabletemperatures. In order that an unacceptable rate of false alarms notoccur, the thresholds of the indicators 103 and 100 are preferablycalibrated with respect to each other based, inter alia, on empiricaldata.

As further seen in FIG. 1A, if during loading of truck B, the ambienttemperature on the outside of truck B reaches 15 degrees Celsius for 30minutes, which is less than the predetermined duration of one hour, thequality indicators 103 remain in visible state V, as seen at referencenumeral 117.

At any stage, such as upon delivery, the quality indicators 103 can beread with a conventional barcode reader 113, which preferablycommunicates with a remote quality indication computer 115 and providesan immediate indication of a quality status, such as an OK indication118, to an inspector. It is appreciated that normally until delivery itis impractical to visually inspect the indicators 100.

As stated above with relation to loading of truck A as indicated byreference numeral 110, it is preferable that the indicators 103 providea time in temperature threshold exceedance warning even if, uponinspection, the indicators 100 show that the individual packages 101have not experienced unacceptable temperatures for unacceptabledurations. Accordingly upon subsequent reading of the indicators 100 onthe packages 101 inside a carton 104 for which no such warning wasprovided, as indicated by reference numeral 123 in FIG. 1C, it is notexpected that the indicators 100 will indicate exceedance ofcorresponding time in temperature thresholds.

As seen in FIG. 1B, if during vehicle breakdown of truck B, the ambienttemperature outside of the cartons 104 is 15 degrees Celsius which ismore than the predetermined temperature of 12 degrees Celsius, for threehours which is more than the predetermined total duration of one hour,the quality indicators 103 assume the further visible state VI, as seenat reference numeral 119. This visible state VI does not revert to thevisible state V notwithstanding that the temperature of the cartons 104subsequently drops below the predetermined temperature.

Accordingly, upon inspection, as upon delivery, upon reading the qualityindicators 103 by an inspector using a conventional barcode reader 113,the barcode in its visible state VI preferably provides information tothe quality indication computer 115 which enables the indicationinterpreter forming part thereof to provide an immediate indication of aquality status, such as a BAD indication 120. This BAD indication 120indicates that at some time in the history of the quality indicator 103,the carton 104 to which it was attached was at least at thepredetermined temperature for at least a predetermined total amount oftime and that this event may have rendered one or more of the productsin carton 104 unacceptable for sale. It is appreciated that normallyuntil cartons 104 are opened, typically following delivery, it isimpractical to visually inspect indicators 100.

Depending on the circumstances, the temperatures of the individualpackages 101 within the cartons 104 may or may not have exceeded 21degrees Celsius for ten minutes and the quality indicators 100 which areattached to the packages 101 may or may not be in the further visiblestate III. This normally can only be seen upon opening cartons 104 asshown in FIG. 1C.

As further seen from FIG. 1B and indicated by reference numeral 121,upon inspection, as upon delivery, the quality indicators 103 attachedto the cartons 104 which were delivered by truck A may be read by aninspector using a conventional barcode reader 113. As indicated byreference numeral 110 in FIG. 1A with relation to loading of truck A,one or more cartons 104 were exposed to a temperature of at least 30degrees Celsius for a period of five and a half hours, and the qualityindicators 103 of these cartons assumed the visible state VI, indicatingexceedance of time in temperature thresholds.

In contrast, as indicated by reference numeral 121, the qualityindicators 103 of other cartons 104 which were not exposed to atemperature of at least 30 degrees Celsius for a period of five and ahalf hours remained in the visible state V. The barcode in its visiblestate V preferably provides information to the quality indicationcomputer 115 which enables the indication interpreter forming partthereof to provide an immediate OK indication 122.

Should the quality indicator 103 be in the visible state IV, indicatingthat proper actuation of the quality indicator 103 did not occur, aNON-ACTUATED indication or a BAD indication may be provided to aninspector or other interested party.

Turning now specifically to FIG. 1C, it is seen that upon opening thecartons 104 of packages 101 which were delivered by truck B, asindicated by reference numeral 123, the quality indicators 100 attachedto the packages 101 are read by a conventional barcode reader 113. Inthis example, the quality indicators 100 of some of packages 101 are inthe visible state II, indicating that notwithstanding that an indicator103 on a carton 104 indicates exceedance of a time in temperaturethreshold, some of the packages, particularly those at the interior ofthe carton, may not have exceeded a corresponding time in temperaturethreshold and may be acceptable for sale.

Barcode reader 113 preferably communicates with a remote qualityindication computer 115 and provides an immediate OK indication 124 toan inspector, indicating that the temperature of some of packages 101did not exceed a predetermined temperature for at least a predeterminedtotal amount of time, for example 21 degrees Celsius for ten minutes.

This OK indication is in contrast to the BAD indication 120 provided bythe quality indicators 103 associated with the cartons 104 containingthese packages 101 as the result of refrigeration breakdown of truck B,as indicated by reference numeral 119 in FIG. 1B. As stated above withrelation to truck A loading indicated by reference numeral 110, it ispreferable that the indicators 103 provide a time in temperature warningeven if, upon inspection, the indicators 100 show that the individualpackages 101 have not experienced unacceptable temperatures.

It is further stated above that in order that an unacceptable rate offalse alarms not occur, the thresholds of indicators 103 and 100 arepreferably calibrated with respect to each other based, inter alia, onempirical data, and not necessarily as indicated in the example of FIGS.1A-1C, which is provided for illustration purposes. For example, a BADindication for a carton 104 containing packages 101 all having an OKindication can be prevented if indicators 103 attached to the cartons104 are calibrated to indicate the exceedance of a higher time ortemperature threshold than that of indicators 100 on packages 101.

As further seen in FIG. 1C and indicated by reference numeral 125, uponopening the cartons 104 of packages 101 which were delivered by truck Aand for which a BAD indication has already been provided by the qualityindicators 103 associated therewith during loading of truck A, asindicated by reference numeral 110 in FIG. 1A, it is seen that theindicators 100 assumed during transport a further visible state III. Itis appreciated that once the state III is reached, the quality indicator100 preferably does not thereafter revert to the state IInotwithstanding that the temperature of the package 101 subsequentlydrops below the predetermined temperature.

Accordingly, upon inspection, as upon delivery, upon reading the qualityindicator 100 by an inspector using a conventional barcode reader 113,the barcode in its visible state III preferably provides information tothe quality indication computer 115 which enables the indicationinterpreter forming part thereof to provide an immediate indication of aquality status, such as a BAD indication 127. This BAD indication 127indicates that at some time in the history of the quality indicator 100,the package 101 to which it was attached was at a temperature exceedingthe predetermined temperature for more than at least a predeterminedcumulative amount of time, and that this event has rendered the productin package 101 unacceptable for sale.

Should the quality indicator 100 be in the visible state I, indicatingthat proper actuation of the quality indicator 100 did not occur, aNON-ACTUATED indication or a BAD indication may be provided to aninspector or other interested party.

It is appreciated, as discussed in more detail with reference to FIG. 8below, that whereas machine reading of the quality indicators 100 and103 provides an indication of whether or not a given event has occurred,the indication of a quality status by the quality indication computer115 provides an indication of whether and to what extent that event hasaffected the quality of a given product with which the quality indicator100 or the quality indicator 103 are associated. It is appreciated thatthere may be a great variation in the effect of a given event dependingon the type of product. Thus, for example, exposure to 21 degreesCelsius for a short period of time may cause fresh meat to be renderedunfit for sale but may not appreciably affect the quality or saleabilityof oranges.

As further seen in FIG. 1C, a user employing an imager-equippedtelephone or other suitable mobile communicator 128 may image thequality indicator 100 and communicate the image information to asuitably programmed quality indication computer 130, which may beidentical to the computer 115, and which is capable of reading thebarcode from the image information and providing to the user, via SMS orany other suitable communication methodology, an immediate indication ofa quality status, such as a GOOD QUALITY indication 132. This qualitystatus indicates that the product is safe for use. Alternatively, if theuser employs a barcode reader-equipped communicator, the communicatorcan provide to the computer 115 an output resulting from reading thebarcode.

It is appreciated that quality indication computer 130 may providereports to various interested entities, such as the manufacturer ordistributor of the products, health authorities and other governmentalor private entities, to enable real-time monitoring of the quality ofproducts offered for sale. The quality indication computer 130 may havecaller ID functionality so as to be able to identify the caller,classify the caller, for example as a customer, a manufacturer's QAinspector and a health inspector, and provide an appropriate qualityindication output. Additionally or alternatively, the quality indicationcomputer 130 may send messages to supermarket management regardingremedial steps to be taken, such as refrigeration maintenance or repairinstructions.

It is appreciated that the quality indicator may also be used forindicating the elapse of a long period of time at a storage temperature.Additionally, the quality indicator may be used to indicate events whichoccur following the purchase of a product.

Turning now to FIGS. 2A-2C, the present invention is illustrated in thecontext of a typical application, here a meat processing plant. Incontrast to the embodiment described hereinabove with reference to FIGS.1A-1C, in the illustrated example of FIGS. 2A-2C, where hot packagingand labeling takes place, it is necessary for activation of the qualityindicator to take place only once the product has been cooled to itsdesired long term storage temperature. A barcoded quality indicator 200is attached to or otherwise incorporated into each package 201 ofprocessed meat. A package bearing the barcoded quality indicator 200 istypically an individual package suitable for retail sale.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thequality indicators 200 may be assembled and/or actuated at the samelocation or at a location adjacent that at which the quality indicators200 are associated with the packages 201. A suitable indicator assembleris indicated by reference numeral 202. It is appreciated that theindicator assembler 202 may be associated with an automatic actuator. Itis further appreciated that the actuator may be automatic and mayactuate the quality indicator after it has been produced by theindicator assembler 202.

As seen in FIG. 2A, additional barcoded quality indicators 203, whichare preferably different from the quality indicators 200, are attachedto or otherwise incorporated into cartons 204 containing packages 201 ofprocessed meat bearing quality indicators 200. Preferably, the qualityindicators 203 are assembled by an indicator assembler 205 which issimilar to the indicator assembler 202, but is placed at a locationwhich is different from the location of the indicator assembler 202.Alternatively, the quality indicators 203 may be assembled by theindicator assembler 202.

Different types of quality indicators may be employed for differenttypes of packages. For example, the quality indicator used on a cartoncontaining a plurality of individual packages may be more or lessaccurate or have a greater or lesser dynamic range of indications thanthe quality indicator used on an individual package. The dynamic rangeof a quality indicator may be a greater or lesser range of temperaturesand/or of times. Additionally or alternatively, the quality indicator ona carton may include a quality indicator capable of indicatingexceedance of additional thresholds, not included on the qualityindicators of individual packages contained therein, or fewer thresholdsthan the quality indicators of individual packages contained therein.

In the illustrated embodiment, the quality indicators include an EAN(European Article Number) barcode. The quality indicators 200 arepreferably constructed to be actuatable by pulling a pull strip 206forming part thereof, as indicated by reference numeral 207. In theillustrated embodiment, the quality indicators 200 preferably have avisible pre-actuation state I, a different visible post-actuation stateII and a visible state III indicating exceedance of a predeterminedtemperature, for example 21 degrees Celsius, for at least apredetermined total amount of time, for example ten minutes, as seen atreference numeral 225 in FIG. 2C.

The visible states are readable by a barcode reader. For example, inthis illustrated embodiment, the pre-actuation state I is read as7290003804108, the post-actuation state II is read as 7290003804122 andthe visible state III is read as 7290003804115.

As further seen in FIG. 2A, the quality indicators 203 are preferablyconstructed to be actuatable by pulling pull strip 208 forming partthereof, as indicated by reference numeral 209. In the illustratedembodiment, the indicators 203 preferably have a visible pre-actuationstate IV, readable by a barcode reader typically as 7290003804146.Indicators 203 preferably have a visible post-actuation state V which isdifferent from pre-actuation state IV and is readable by a barcodereader typically as 7290003804153. Indicators 203 preferably also havean additional at least one visible state VI as seen, for example, atreference numeral 210 in FIG. 2A and at reference numeral 219 in FIG.2B, indicating exceedance of a predetermined temperature, for example 12degrees Celsius, for at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time,for example one hour. This further visible state is readable by abarcode reader typically as 7290003804160.

Alternatively, any of the visible states IV, V and VI of the qualityindicators 203 may be associated with barcodes which are the same asbarcodes associated with states of the quality indicators 200. If thesame barcode is associated with states of both types of indicators, thenthe identity of the quality indicator read by a barcode reader isprovided to the indication interpreter by another method, for example bya manual entry to the database.

It is appreciated that the predetermined temperatures and thepredetermined cumulative amounts of time may be selected as appropriatefor a given application.

In contrast to the embodiment described hereinabove with reference toFIGS. 1A-1C, actuation, as by pulling the pull strip 206 or the pullstrip 208, does not result in immediate activation of the indicationfunctionality of the respective quality indicators 200 and 203. Thus thequality indicators 200 and 203 do not provide a machine-readableindication of exceedance of thresholds which takes place during a periodof time between actuation and activation. Typically the resultingactivation delay may be 8 hours following actuation. It is seen in FIG.2A that during the activation delay the quality indicators 200 and 203are not sensitive to temperature and retain their respective visiblepost-actuation states II and V.

It is appreciated that various types of indicators may be employedtogether in a quality management system. In some indicators actuationmay result in the immediate activation of the quality indicator, and inother indicators activation of the quality indicator following actuationmay be delayed. It is also appreciated that delayed activation of theindicator may take place even if the indicator is operative to providean indication of exceedance without actuation.

It is appreciated that following elapse of the activation delay, as longas the temperature of the packages 201 does not exceed a predeterminedtemperature for at least a predetermined total amount of time, forexample 21 degrees Celsius for ten minutes, the indicators 200 remain inthe visible state II.

As seen in FIG. 2A as long as, following elapse of the activation delay,the temperature of the carton 204 of packages 201 does not exceed apredetermined temperature for at least a predetermined cumulative amountof time, for example 12 degrees Celsius for one hour, the qualityindicators 203 remain in the visible state V.

As further seen in FIG. 2A, if during loading of truck A as indicated byreference numeral 210, after the elapse of the activation delay thetemperature on the outside of one or more cartons 204 is at least 30degrees Celsius for a period of five and a half hours, which is morethen the predetermined temperature of 12 degrees Celsius and thepredetermined total amount of time of one hour, the correspondingindicators 203 assume the further visible state VI. This further visiblestate VI does not revert to the visible state V notwithstanding that thetemperature of the carton 204 subsequently drops below the predeterminedtemperature. These cartons, when received by the customer, will besubject to inspection to determine whether the temperature of thepackages 201 inside the cartons 204 exceeded predetermined time intemperature thresholds.

Accordingly, upon inspection, as upon delivery, the quality indicators203 attached to the cartons 204 which were exposed to a temperature ofat least 30 degrees Celsius for a period of five and a half hours may beread by an inspector using a conventional barcode reader 213. Thebarcode in its visible state VI preferably provides information to thequality indication computer 215 which enables the indication interpreterforming part thereof to provide an immediate indication of a qualitystatus, such as a BAD indication 216. This BAD indication 216 indicatesthat at some time in the history of the quality indicator 203, thecarton 204 to which it was attached was at least at the predeterminedtemperature for at least a predetermined total amount of time and thatthis event may have rendered one or more of the products in carton 204unacceptable for sale.

Should the quality indicator 203 be in the visible state IV, indicatingthat proper actuation of the quality indicator 203 did not occur, aNON-ACTUATED indication or a BAD indication may be provided to aninspector or other interested party.

It is appreciated that until the cartons 204 are opened, which normallyoccurs only upon delivery, it is impractical to visually inspect theindicators 200 which are attached to the individual packages 201 insidethe cartons 204. Depending on the circumstances, the temperature of theindividual packages 201 within a carton 204 may or may not have exceeded21 degrees Celsius for ten minutes and the quality indicators 200 whichare attached to the packages 201 may or may not be in the furthervisible state III. This normally can only be seen upon opening thecartons 204 as shown in FIG. 2C.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that the time andtemperature thresholds of the quality indicators 200 and 203, placed onthe individual packages and the cartons containing them respectively,are preferably related in order to provide highly effective cold chainmanagement. It is preferable that the quality indicators 203 provide atime in temperature warning even if, upon inspection, indicators 200show that the individual packages 201 have not experienced unacceptabletemperatures. In order that an unacceptable rate of false alarms notoccur, the thresholds of indicators 203 and 200 are preferablycalibrated with respect to each other based, inter alia, on empiricaldata.

As further seen in FIG. 2A, if during loading of truck B, after theelapse of the activation delay the ambient temperature on the outside oftruck B reaches 15 degrees Celsius for thirty minutes, which is lessthan the predetermined duration of one hour, the quality indicator 203remains in the visible state V, as seen at reference numeral 217.

At any stage, such as upon delivery, the quality indicator 203 can beread with a conventional barcode reader 213, which preferablycommunicates with a remote quality indication computer 215 and providesan immediate indication of a quality status, such as an OK indication218, to an inspector. It is appreciated that normally until delivery itis impractical to visually inspect indicators 200.

As stated above with relation to loading of truck A as indicated byreference numeral 210, it is preferable that the quality indicators 203provide a time in temperature threshold exceedance warning even if, uponinspection, the quality indicators 200 show that the individual packages201 have not experienced unacceptable temperatures for unacceptabledurations. Accordingly upon subsequent reading of the quality indicators200 on packages 201 inside a carton 204 for which no such warning wasprovided, as indicated by reference numeral 223 in FIG. 2C, it is notexpected that indicators 200 will indicate exceedance of correspondingtime in temperature thresholds.

As seen in FIG. 2B, if during vehicle breakdown of truck B, after theelapse of the activation delay the ambient temperature outside of thecartons 204 is 15 degrees Celsius which is more than the predeterminedtemperature of 12 degrees Celsius, for three hours which is more thanthe predetermined total duration of one hour, the quality indicatorassumes the further visible state VI, as seen at reference numeral 219.This visible state VI does not revert to the visible state Vnotwithstanding that the temperature of the cartons 204 subsequentlydrops below the predetermined temperature.

Accordingly, upon inspection, as upon delivery, upon reading the qualityindicator 203 by an inspector using a conventional barcode reader 213,the barcode in its visible state VI preferably provides information tothe quality indication computer 215 which enables the indicationinterpreter forming part thereof to provide an immediate indication of aquality status, such as a BAD indication 220. This BAD indication 220indicates that at some time in the history of the quality indicator 203,the carton 204 to which it was attached was at least at thepredetermined temperature for at least a predetermined total amount oftime and that this event may have rendered one or more of the productsin carton 204 unacceptable for sale. It is appreciated that normallyuntil cartons 204 are opened, typically following delivery, it isimpractical to visually inspect indicators 200.

Depending on the circumstances, the temperatures of the individualpackages 201 within the cartons 204 may or may not have exceeded 21degrees Celsius for ten minutes and the quality indicators 200 which areattached to the packages 201 may or may not be in the further visiblestate III. This normally can only be seen upon opening cartons 204 asshown in FIG. 2C.

As further seen from FIG. 2B and indicated by reference numeral 221,upon inspection, as upon delivery, the quality indicators 203 attachedto the cartons 204 which were delivered by truck A may be read by aninspector using a conventional barcode reader 213. As indicated byreference numeral 210 in FIG. 2A with relation to loading of truck A,one or more cartons 204 were exposed to a temperature of at least 30degrees Celsius for a period of five and a half hours, and the qualityindicators 203 of these cartons assumed the visible state VI, indicatingexceedance of time in temperature thresholds.

In contrast, as indicated by reference numeral 221, the qualityindicators 203 of other cartons 204 which were not exposed to atemperature of at least 30 degrees Celsius for a period of five and ahalf hours remained in the visible state V. The barcode in its visiblestate V preferably provides information to the quality indicationcomputer 215 which enables the indication interpreter forming partthereof to provide an immediate OK indication 222.

Should the quality indicator 203 be in visible state IV, indicating thatproper actuation of the quality indicator 203 did not occur, aNON-ACTUATED indication or a BAD indication may be provided to aninspector or other interested party.

Turning now specifically to FIG. 2C, it is seen that upon opening thecartons 204 of packages 201 which were delivered by truck B, asindicated by reference numeral 223, the quality indicators 200 attachedto the packages 201 are read by a conventional barcode reader 213. Inthis example, the quality indicators 200 of some of packages 201 are inthe visible state II, indicating that notwithstanding that an indicator203 on a carton 204 indicates exceedance of a time in temperaturethreshold, some of the packages, particularly those at the interior ofthe carton, may not have exceeded a corresponding time in temperaturethreshold and may be acceptable.

Barcode reader 213 preferably communicates with a remote qualityindication computer 215 and provides an immediate OK indication 224 toan inspector, indicating that the temperature of some of the packages201 did not exceed a predetermined temperature for at least apredetermined total amount of time, for example 21 degrees Celsius forten minutes.

This OK indication is in contrast to the BAD indication 220 provided bythe quality indicators 203 associated with cartons 204 containing thesepackages 201 as the result of refrigeration breakdown of truck B, asindicated by reference numeral 219 in FIG. 2B. As stated above withrelation to truck A loading indicated by reference numeral 210, it ispreferable that indicators 203 provide a time in temperature warningeven if, upon inspection, indicators 200 show that the individualpackages 201 have not experienced unacceptable temperatures.

It is further stated above that in order that an unacceptable rate offalse alarms not occur, the thresholds of the quality indicators 203 and200 are preferably calibrated with respect to each other based, interalia, on empirical data, and not necessarily as indicated in the exampleof FIGS. 2A-2C, which is provided for illustration purposes. Forexample, a BAD indication for a carton 204 containing packages 201 allhaving an OK indication can be prevented if the quality indicators 203attached to the cartons 204 are calibrated to indicate the exceedance ofa higher time or temperature threshold than that of indicators 200 onpackages 201.

As further seen in FIG. 2C and indicated by reference numeral 225, uponopening the cartons 204 of packages 201 which were delivered by truck Aand for which a BAD indication has already been provided by the qualityindicators 203 associated therewith during loading of truck A, asindicated by reference numeral 210 in FIG. 2A, it is seen thatindicators 200 assumed during transport the further visible state III.It is appreciated that once the state III is reached, the qualityindicator 200 preferably does not thereafter revert to the state IInotwithstanding that the temperature of the package 201 subsequentlydrops below the predetermined temperature.

Accordingly, upon inspection, as upon delivery, upon reading the qualityindicator 200 by an inspector using a conventional barcode reader 213,the barcode in its visible state III preferably provides information tothe quality indication computer 215 which enables the indicationinterpreter forming part thereof to provide an immediate indication of aquality status, such as a BAD indication 227. This BAD indication 227indicates that at some time in the history of the quality indicator 200,the package 201 to which it was attached was at a temperature exceedingthe predetermined temperature for more than at least a predeterminedcumulative amount of time, and that this event has rendered the productin package 201 unacceptable for sale.

Should the quality indicator 200 be in the visible state I, indicatingthat proper actuation of the quality indicator 200 did not occur, aNON-ACTUATED indication or a BAD indication may be provided to aninspector or other interested party.

It is appreciated, as discussed in more detail with reference to FIG. 8below, that whereas machine reading of the quality indicators 200 and203 provides an indication of whether or not a given event has occurred,the indication of a quality status by the quality indication computer215 provides an indication of whether and to what extent that event hasaffected the quality of a given product with which the quality indicator200 or the quality indicator 203 are associated. It is appreciated thatthere may be a great variation in the effect of a given event dependingon the type of product. Thus, for example, exposure to 21 degreesCelsius for a short period of time may cause fresh meat to be renderedunfit for sale but may not appreciably affect the quality or saleabilityof oranges.

As further seen in FIG. 2C, a user employing an imager-equippedtelephone or other suitable mobile communicator 228 may image thequality indicator 200 and communicate the image information to asuitably programmed quality indication computer 230, which may beidentical to the computer 215, and which is capable of reading thebarcode from the image information and providing to the user, via SMS orany other suitable communication methodology, an immediate indication ofa quality status, such as a GOOD QUALITY indication 232. This qualitystatus indicates that the product is safe for use. Alternatively, if theuser employs a barcode reader-equipped communicator, the communicatorcan provide to the computer 215 an output resulting from reading thebarcode.

It is appreciated that the quality indication computer 230 may providereports to various interested entities, such as the manufacturer ordistributor of the products, health authorities and other governmentalor private entities, to enable real-time monitoring of the quality ofproducts offered for sale. The quality indication computer 230 may havecaller ID functionality so as to be able to identify the caller,classify the caller, for example as a customer, a manufacturer's QAinspector and a health inspector, and provide an appropriate qualityindication output. Additionally or alternatively, the quality indicationcomputer 230 may send messages to supermarket management regardingremedial steps to be taken, such as refrigeration maintenance or repairinstructions.

It is appreciated that the quality indicator may also be used forindicating the elapse of a long period of time at a storage temperature.Additionally, the quality indicator may be used to indicate events whichoccur following the purchase of a product.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A-3D, which are simplified illustrationsof quality indicators constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating acombination of elapsed time in temperature history.

FIG. 3A illustrates a package of meat 300 including a combinationelapsed time in temperature indicator 301 constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention of thetype described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C. The qualityindicator 301 is typically constructed to be actuatable by pulling apull strip 302 forming part thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, indicator 301 includes barcodes I, II, IIIand IV, which are preferably different from each other and arranged in astacked arrangement. Barcodes I, II, III and IV are in visible states303, 304, 305 and 306, respectively. Prior to actuation, barcode I invisible state 303 is typically readable by a conventional barcode readeras 7290003804108 and barcodes II, III and IV in the respective visiblestates 304, 305 and 306 are preferably not readable by a barcode reader.Thus, the indicator 301 in its first visible state presents a singlemachine-readable barcode typically readable by a conventional barcodereader as 7290003804108, as indicated by designator A.

Following actuation, the colorable common area indicated by referencenumeral 307 becomes colored, thereby causing barcode I to becomeunreadable and barcode II to assume a further visible state 308,typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804122.Barcodes III and IV remain unreadable and the indicator 301 in itssecond visible state presents a single machine-readable barcodetypically readable by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804122, aslong as the temperature of the package 300 does not exceed apredetermined temperature for at least a predetermined cumulative amountof time, for example 21 degrees Celsius for ten minutes, as indicated bydesignator B.

Once the temperature of the package 300 is more than the predeterminedtemperature for at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, suchas 25 degrees Celsius for ten minutes, the colorable common areaindicated by reference numeral 309 becomes colored, thereby causingbarcode II to become unreadable and barcode III to assume a furthervisible state 310, typically readable by a conventional barcode readeras 7290003804115. Barcodes I and IV remain unreadable and the indicator301 presents a single machine-readable barcode typically readable by aconventional barcode reader as 7290003804115, as indicated by designatorC.

If the temperature of the package 300 continues to exceed thepredetermined temperature for an additional predetermined amount oftime, for example 50 minutes, the colorable common area indicated byreference numeral 311 becomes colored, thereby causing barcode III tobecome unreadable and barcode IV to assume a further visible state 312,typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804139.Barcodes I and II remain unreadable and the indicator 301 presents asingle machine-readable barcode typically readable by a conventionalbarcode reader as 7290003804139, as indicated by designator D.

FIG. 3B illustrates a package of meat 320 including a combinationelapsed time in temperature indicator 321 constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention of thetype described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C. The qualityindicator 321 is typically constructed to be actuatable by pulling apull strip 322 forming part thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, indicator 321 includes barcodes V, VI, VIIand VIII, which are preferably different from each other and arranged ina stacked arrangement. Barcodes V, VI, VII and VIII are in visiblestates 323, 324, 325 and 326, respectively. Prior to actuation, barcodeV in visible state 323 is typically readable by a conventional barcodereader as 7290003804108 and barcodes VI, VII and VIII in the respectivevisible states 324, 325 and 326 are preferably not readable by a barcodereader. Thus, the indicator 321 in its first visible state presents asingle machine-readable barcode typically readable by a conventionalbarcode reader as 7290003804108, as indicated by designator A.

Following actuation, the colorable common area indicated by referencenumeral 327 becomes colored, thereby causing barcode V to becomeunreadable and barcode VI to assume a further visible state 328,typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804122.Barcodes VII and VIII remain unreadable and the indicator 321 in itssecond visible state presents a single machine-readable barcodetypically readable by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804122.

The quality indicator 321 preferably remains in the second visible stateprior to activation, for at least a predetermined time followingactuation, typically 8 hours, irrespective of the temperature of thequality indicator 321 as indicated by designators B and C.

Upon activation, once the temperature of the package 320 is more thanthe predetermined temperature for at least a predetermined cumulativeamount of time, such as 25 degrees Celsius for ten minutes, thecolorable common area indicated by reference numeral 329 becomescolored, thereby causing barcode VI to become unreadable and barcode VIIto assume a further visible state 330, typically readable by aconventional barcode reader as 7290003804115. Barcodes V and VIII remainunreadable and the indicator 321 presents a single machine-readablebarcode typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as7290003804115, as indicated by designator D.

If the temperature of the package 320 continues to exceed thepredetermined temperature for an additional predetermined amount oftime, for example 50 minutes, the colorable common area indicated byreference numeral 331 becomes colored, thereby causing barcode VII tobecome unreadable and barcode VIII to assume a further visible state332, typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as7290003804139. Barcodes V and VI remain unreadable and the indicator 321presents a single machine-readable barcode typically readable by aconventional barcode reader as 7290003804139, as indicated by designatorE.

FIG. 3C illustrates a package of meat 340 including a combinationelapsed time in temperature indicator 341 constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention of thetype described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C. The qualityindicator 341 is typically constructed to be actuatable by pulling apull strip 342 forming part thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 3C, indicator 341 includes barcodes IX, X, XI andXII, which are preferably different from each other and arranged in astacked arrangement. Barcodes IX, X, XI and XII are in visible states343, 344, 345 and 346, respectively. Before actuation, barcode IX invisible state 343 is typically readable by a conventional barcode readeras 7290003804108, and barcodes X, XI and XII in the respective visiblestates 344, 345 and 346 are preferably not readable by a barcode reader.

Thus, the indicator 341 in its first visible state presents a singlemachine-readable barcode typically readable by a conventional barcodereader as 7290003804108, as indicated by designator A.

Following actuation, the colorable common area indicated by referencenumeral 347 becomes colored, thereby causing barcode IX to becomeunreadable and barcode X to assume a further visible state 348,typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804122.Barcodes XI and XII remain unreadable and the indicator 341 in itssecond visible state presents a single machine-readable barcodetypically readable by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804122, aslong as the temperature of the package 340 does not exceed apredetermined temperature for at least a predetermined cumulative amountof time, for example 12 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes, as indicated bydesignator B.

Once the temperature of the package 340 is more than the predeterminedtemperature for at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time thecolorable common area indicated by reference numeral 349 becomescolored, thereby causing barcode X to become unreadable and barcode XIto assume a further visible state 350, typically readable by aconventional barcode reader as 7290003804115. Barcodes IX and XII remainunreadable and the indicator 341 presents a single machine-readablebarcode typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as7290003804115, as indicated by designator C.

If the temperature of the package 340 exceeds a second predeterminedtemperature, for example 21 degrees Celsius, for at least predeterminedamount of time, for example thirty minutes, the colorable common areaindicated by reference numeral 351 becomes colored, thereby causingbarcode XI to become unreadable and barcode XII to assume a furthervisible state 352, typically readable by a conventional barcode readeras 7290003804139. Barcodes IX and X remain unreadable and the indicator341 presents a single machine-readable barcode typically readable by aconventional barcode reader as 7290003804139, as indicated by designatorD.

FIG. 3D illustrates a package of meat 360 including a combinationelapsed time in temperature indicator 361 constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention of thetype described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C. The qualityindicator 361 is typically constructed to be actuatable by pulling apull strip 362 forming part thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 3D, indicator 361 includes barcodes XIII, XIV, XVand XVI, which are preferably different from each other and arranged ina stacked arrangement. Barcodes XIII, XIV, XV and XVI are in visiblestates 363, 364, 365 and 366, respectively. Before actuation, barcodeXIII in visible state 363 is typically readable by a conventionalbarcode reader as 7290003804108, and barcodes XIV, XV and XVI in therespective visible states 364, 365 and 366 are preferably not readableby a barcode reader. Thus, the indicator 361 in its first visible statepresents a single machine-readable barcode typically readable by aconventional barcode reader as 7290003804108, as indicated by designatorA.

Following actuation, the colorable common area indicated by referencenumeral 367 becomes colored, thereby causing barcode XIII to becomeunreadable and barcode XIV to assume a further visible state 368,typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804122.Barcodes XV and XVI remain unreadable and the indicator 361 in itssecond visible state presents a single machine-readable barcodetypically readable by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804122.

The quality indicator 361 preferably remains in the second visible stateprior to activation, for at least a predetermined time followingactuation, typically 8 hours, irrespective of the temperature of thequality indicator 361 as indicated by designators B and C.

Upon activation, once the temperature of the package 360 is more thanthe predetermined temperature, for example 12 degrees Celsius, for atleast a predetermined cumulative amount of time, for example, 30minutes, the colorable common area indicated by reference numeral 369becomes colored, thereby causing barcode XIV to become unreadable andbarcode XV to assume a further visible state 370, typically readable bya conventional barcode reader as 7290003804115. Barcodes XIII and XVIremain unreadable and the indicator 361 presents a singlemachine-readable barcode typically readable by a conventional barcodereader as 7290003804115, as indicated by designator D.

If the temperature of the package 360 exceeds a second predeterminedtemperature, for example 21 degrees Celsius, for at least predeterminedamount of time, for example thirty minutes, the colorable common areaindicated by reference numeral 371 becomes colored, thereby causingbarcode XV to become unreadable and barcode XVI to assume a furthervisible state 372, typically readable by a conventional barcode readeras 7290003804139. Barcodes XIII and XIV remain unreadable and theindicator 361 presents a single machine-readable barcode typicallyreadable by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804139, as indicatedby designator E.

It is appreciated that instead of using a separate barcode forindicating different events, one or more barcodes may each be used forindicating multiple events. For example, if the addition of a firstbarcode bar causes a barcode in a first machine-readable state to assumean unreadable state and the addition of a second barcode bar causes thesame barcode in the unreadable state to assume a second machine-readablestate then the first machine-readable state may be used for indicatingone event and the second machine-readable state may be used forindicating a different event.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A-7G, which, respectively, aresimplified illustrations of the structure and operation of examples ofthe quality indicators of FIGS. 3A-3D constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention forindicating the exceedance of a combination of temperature history andelapsed time.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A-4E, which together are a simplifiedillustration of the construction and operation of one embodiment of thequality indicator 301 of FIG. 3A for indicating a combination of timeand temperature. As seen in FIG. 4A, the quality indicator, heredesignated by reference numeral 400, preferably includes a barcodedefining layer 402, which is preferably printed on a transparentsubstrate. The printing on the transparent substrate preferably definesa background area, which is preferably printed with black ink andoverprinted with white ink, a plurality of bars forming part of barcodesI, II, III and IV corresponding to barcodes I, II, III and IV of FIG. 3Ain visible states 404, 405, 406 and 407, respectively, which arepreferably printed with black ink, and a plurality of transparent areas408, 409 and 410 forming part of the barcodes, which are preferablyprinted with light blue ink, such as Pantone No. 645, which has a visualappearance similar to that of the black ink overprinted with white ink.Alternatively, the background area and the barcode are printed in suchcolors as to define high contrast therebetween.

The transparent areas described in FIGS. 4-7 correspond to the colorablecommon areas described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3.

For the purposes of the present specification and claims, the term“transparent area” is defined so as to include within its scope areasthat are either transparent or translucent.

The barcodes I, II, III and IV are preferably arranged in a stackedarrangement. Preferably, each of the transparent areas 408, 409 and 410forms part of two barcodes. Accordingly, the transparent area 408 formspart of barcodes I and II, the transparent area 409 forms part ofbarcodes II and III and the transparent area 410 forms part of barcodesIII and IV. The transparent areas preferably have the same width as asingle barcode bar. Alternatively, the width of any of the transparentareas 408, 409 and 410 is different from the width of a single barcodebar. Additionally, the width of the portion of a transparent area whichforms part of one barcode may be different from the width of the portionof the same transparent area which forms part of the other barcode.

Before actuation, the barcode I in the visible state 404 ismachine-readable in this embodiment and is typically readable by abarcode reader as 7290003804108 and the visible states 405, 406 and 407of the respective barcodes II, III and IV are not readable by a barcodereader. The indicator 400 therefore presents a single machine-readablebarcode typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804108.

Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 402 and preferably adheredthereto is a colorable element 415, such as Whatman No. 3 filter papercommercially available from Whatman International [CAT#: 1003917], whichuntil colored is normally white. The colorable element 415 preferablyextends behind the transparent areas 409 and 410 but not behind thetransparent area 408. Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 402 andbehind the colorable element 415 is a pull strip 420, corresponding tothe pull strip 302 in FIG. 3A. The pull strip 420 is preferably whiteand prevents the passage therethrough of coloring agents employed inthis embodiment of the invention. Alternatively, the pull strip istransparent. Preferably, the pull strip 420 is formed of polyester, forexample Melinex®401, commercially available from DuPont of Wilmington,Del., and is preferably 75 micrometers thick.

Disposed behind the pull strip 420 is a back layer 421 which ispreferably black. Preferably adhered to the back layer 421 rearwardly ofthe colorable element 415 but not rearwardly of the transparent areas409 and 410 is a temperature responsive coloring element 422, such as apad, for example, K-R; 210/34/28, commercially available from Noam-Urimof Kibbutz Urim, Israel, impregnated with a coloring agent, such asSudan Black, a black color dye [CAS: 4197-25-5], dissolved at a ratio of1 gram per 1 kg in Coconut oil [CAS: 8001-31-8]. 21 degrees

Until such time as the pull strip 420 is removed, the quality indicator400 is nonresponsive to temperature changes.

Turning to FIG. 4B, once the pull strip 420 is removed, the qualityindicator 400 becomes responsive to temperature changes. As long as thetemperature at the quality indicator does not exceed a predeterminedtemperature, for example 21 degrees Celsius, for at least apredetermined cumulative amount of time, typically ten minutes, theportions of the black back layer 421 which are visible through thetransparent area 408 appear similar to the bars of barcodes I and II inthe respective visible states 404 and 405. The portion of the back layer421 which is visible through the part of the transparent area 408forming part of barcode I renders barcode I unreadable by a conventionalbarcode reader. The portion of the back layer 421 which is visiblethrough the part of the transparent area 408 forming part of barcode IIin the visible state 405 can be read together therewith as a singlebarcode in a visible state 430, typically readable by a barcode readeras 7290003804122. Barcodes III and IV remain unreadable and theindicator 400 therefore presents a single machine-readable barcodetypically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804122.

Turning to FIG. 4C, when the pull strip 420 has been removed and whenthe temperature at the quality indicator exceeds 21 degrees Celsius,such as when the temperature reaches 25 degrees Celsius, the coloringagent in the coloring element 422 begins to melt and be released fromthe coloring element 422 and begins to diffuse through the colorableelement 415.

It is appreciated that if the temperature thereafter drops below 21degrees Celsius the coloring agent continues to diffuse through thecolorable element 415. If, after the temperature reaches 21 degreesCelsius, the temperature drops below 17 degrees Celsius, then thecoloring agent becomes solid and diffusion thereof through the colorableelement 415 is suspended until the temperature again reaches 21 degreesCelsius.

It is also appreciated that the elapsed time from the start of diffusionof the coloring agent from the coloring element 422 along the colorableelement 415 until portions of the colorable element 415 which arevisible through the transparent areas 409 and 410 start to becomecolored is defined, for example, by the length of the colorable element415 between the area in front of coloring element 422 and the areaunderlying the transparent areas 409 and 410. Additionally, this elapsedtime is a function of the material from which the colorable element 415is made and the thickness thereof.

Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the coloring element 422 ispositioned such that the elapsed time from the start of diffusion of thecoloring agent along the colorable element 415 until portions of thecolorable element 415 are visible through the transparent areas 409 and410 is ten minutes and one hour, respectively.

As seen in FIG. 4D, when the temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsiusfor at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, such as 25degrees Celsius for ten minutes, the coloring agent diffuses through thecolorable element 415, such that the portions of the colorable element415 which are visible through the transparent area 409 become coloredand appear similar to the bars of barcode II in the visible state 430and to the bars of barcode III in the visible state 406. The coloredportion of the transparent area 409, which forms part of barcode II,renders barcode II unreadable. The colored portion of the transparentarea 409 which forms part of barcode III in the visible state 406 can beread together therewith as a single barcode in the visible state 431,which is typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804115.Barcodes I and IV remain unreadable and the indicator 400 thus presentsa single machine-readable barcode typically readable by a barcode readeras 7290003804115.

It is appreciated that the portion of the transparent area 409 whichforms part of barcode II may be wider than the portion of thetransparent area 409 forms part of barcode III. Accordingly, if thetemperature is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional amount oftime, the portion of the transparent area 409 which forms part ofbarcode II continues to be colored thereby ensuring the unreadability ofbarcode II.

Turning now to FIG. 4E, following the elapse of an additional amount oftime at a temperature of at least 21 degrees Celsius, for example 50additional minutes at 25 degrees Celsius, the coloring agent continuesto diffuse through the colorable element 415, such that the portions ofthe colorable element 415 which are visible through the transparent area410 become colored and appear similar to the bars of barcode III in thevisible state 431 and to the bars of the barcode IV in the visible state407. The colored portion of the transparent area 410 which forms part ofbarcode III renders barcode III unreadable. The colored portion of thetransparent area 410 which forms part of barcode IV in the visible state407 can be read together therewith as a single barcode in the visiblestate 432, which is typically readable by a barcode reader as7290003804139. Barcodes I and II remain unreadable and the indicator 400therefore presents a single machine-readable barcode typically readableby a barcode reader as 7290003804139.

It is appreciated that the portion of the transparent area 410 whichforms part of barcode III may be wider than the portion of thetransparent area 410 which forms part of barcode IV. Accordingly, if thetemperature is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional amount oftime, the portion of the transparent area 410 which forms part ofbarcode III continues to be colored thereby ensuring the unreadabilityof barcode III.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A-5F, which together are a simplifiedillustration of the construction and operation of one embodiment of thequality indicator 321 of FIG. 3B for indicating a combination of timeand temperature. As seen in FIG. 5A, the quality indicator, heredesignated by reference numeral 500, preferably includes a barcodedefining layer 502, which is preferably printed on a transparentsubstrate. The printing on the transparent substrate preferably definesa background area, which is preferably printed with black ink andoverprinted with white ink, a plurality of bars forming part of barcodesV, VI, VII and VIII corresponding to barcodes V, VI, VII and VIII ofFIG. 3B in visible states 504, 505, 506 and 507, respectively, which arepreferably printed with black ink, and a plurality of transparent areas508, 509 and 510 forming part of the barcodes, which are preferablyprinted with light blue ink, such as Pantone No. 645, which has a visualappearance similar to that of the black ink overprinted with white ink.Alternatively, the background area and the barcode are printed in suchcolors as to define high contrast therebetween.

The barcodes V, VI, VII and VIII are preferably arranged in a stackedarrangement. Preferably, each of the transparent areas 508, 509 and 510forms part of two barcodes. Accordingly, the transparent area 508 formspart of barcodes V and VI, the transparent area 509 forms part ofbarcodes VI and VII and the transparent area 510 forms part of barcodesVII and VIII. The transparent areas preferably have the same width as asingle barcode bar. Alternatively, the width of any of the transparentareas 508, 509 and 510 is different from the width of a single barcodebar. Additionally, the width of the portion of a transparent area whichforms part of one barcode may be different from the width of the portionof the same transparent area which forms part of the other barcode.

Before actuation, the barcode V in the visible state 504 ismachine-readable in this embodiment and is typically readable by abarcode reader as 7290003804108 and the visible states 505, 506 and 507of the respective barcodes VI, VII and VIII are not readable by abarcode reader. Thus, the indicator 500, in its first visible state,presents a single machine-readable barcode typically readable by abarcode reader as 7290003804108.

Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 502 and preferably adheredthereto is a colorable element 515, such as Whatman No. 3 filter papercommercially available from Whatman International [CAT#: 1003917], whichuntil colored is normally white. The colorable element 515 preferablyextends behind the transparent areas 509 and 510 but not behind thetransparent area 508.

Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 502 and behind the colorableelement 515 and preferably adhered thereto is a dissolvable activationdelay layer 517 formed, for example from Ethyl Cellulose [CAS#:9004-57-3]. The activation delay layer 517 is dissolvable by a suitablesolvent, as described hereinbelow, and until dissolved prevents thepassage therethrough of coloring agents employed in this embodiment ofthe present invention.

It is appreciated that the dissolvable activation delay layers 517 mayprovide selectable and possibly different delay durations over anysuitable range of durations which may extend from effectively zero toany suitable maximum. Such selectability may be effected, for example,by varying thickness, material, coatings and/or structure.

Disposed behind the activation delay layer 517, the barcode defininglayer 502 and the colorable element 515 is a pull strip 520,corresponding to the pull strip 322 in FIG. 3B. The pull strip 520 ispreferably white and prevents the passage therethrough of coloringagents employed in this embodiment of the invention. Alternatively, thepull strip is transparent. Preferably, the pull strip 520 is formed ofpolyester, for example Melinex®401, commercially available from DuPontof Wilmington, Del., and is preferably 75 micrometers thick.

Disposed behind the pull strip 520 is a back layer 521 which ispreferably black. Preferably adhered to the back layer 521 rearwardly ofthe colorable element 515 and of the activation delay layer 517 but notrearwardly of the transparent areas 509 and 510 is a temperatureresponsive coloring element 522, such as a pad, for example, K-R;210/34/28, commercially available from Noam-Urim of Kibbutz Urim,Israel, impregnated with a coloring agent, such as Sudan Black, a blackcolor dye [CAS: 4197-25-5], dissolved at a ratio of 1 gram per 1 kg inCoconut oil [CAS: 8001-31-8]. 21 degrees

Adjacent the coloring element 522 or combined therewith is a solvent524, such as Methyl laurate [CAS #: 111-82-0] which, as noted above, isoperative to dissolve the dissolvable activation delay layer 517,preferably after a predetermined period of time, which is preferablymeasured in hours, such as eight hours. The solvent 524 may betemperature-responsive.

Until such time as the pull strip 720 is removed, the quality indicator700 is nonresponsive to temperature changes.

Turning now to FIG. 5B, once the pull strip 520 is removed, the solvent524 begins to dissolve the dissolvable activation delay layer 517. Priorto the dissolvable activation delay layer 517 becoming permeable to thecoloring agent in the temperature responsive coloring element 522, thequality indicator 500 does not provide a readable indication responsiveto temperature changes and the portions of the black back layer 521which are visible through the transparent area 508 appear similar to thebars of barcodes V and VI in the respective visible states 504 and 505.The portion of the back layer 521 which is visible through the part ofthe transparent area 508 forming part of barcode V renders barcode Vunreadable by a conventional barcode reader. The portion of the backlayer 521 which is visible through the part of the transparent area 508forming part of barcode VI in the visible state 505 can be read togethertherewith as a single barcode in a visible state 530, typically readableby a barcode reader as 7290003804122. Barcodes VII and VIII remainunreadable and the indicator 500 in its second visible state presents asingle machine-readable barcode typically readable by a barcode readeras 7290003804122.

It is appreciated that the time needed to achieve dissolution ofdissolvable activation delay layer 517 may be determined for example bythe thickness thereof.

Turning now to FIG. 5C, once the dissolvable activation delay layer 517becomes permeable to the coloring agent in the temperature responsivecoloring element 522, typically after 8 hours, the quality indicator 500becomes responsive to temperature changes. As long as the temperature atthe quality indicator does not reach a predetermined temperature forexample 21 degrees Celsius, for at least a predetermined cumulativeamount of time for example for ten minutes, the quality indicatorremains in the second visible state.

Turning to FIG. 5D, after the dissolution of the activation delay layer517, when the temperature at the quality indicator exceeds 21 degreesCelsius, such as when the temperature reaches 25 degrees Celsius, thecoloring agent in the coloring element 522 begins to melt and bereleased from the coloring element 522 and begins to diffuse through thecolorable element 515.

It is appreciated that if the temperature thereafter drops below 21degrees Celsius the coloring agent continues to diffuse through thecolorable element 515. If, after the temperature reaches 21 degreesCelsius, the temperature drops below 17 degrees Celsius, then thecoloring agent becomes solid and diffusion thereof through the colorableelement 515 is suspended until the temperature again reaches 21 degreesCelsius.

It is also appreciated that the elapsed time from the start of diffusionof the coloring agent from the coloring element 522 along the colorableelement 515 until portions of the colorable element 515 which arevisible through the transparent areas 509 and 510 start to becomecolored is defined, for example, by the length of the colorable element515 between the area in front of coloring element 522 and the areaunderlying the transparent areas 509 and 510. Additionally, this elapsedtime is a function of the material from which the colorable element 515is made and the thickness thereof.

Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the coloring element 522 ispositioned such that the elapsed time from the start of diffusion of thecoloring agent along the colorable element 515 until portions of thecolorable element 515 are visible through the transparent areas 509 and510 is ten minutes and one hour, respectively.

As seen in FIG. 5E, when the temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsiusfor at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, such as 25degrees Celsius for ten minutes, the coloring agent diffuses through thecolorable element 515, such that the portions of the colorable element515 which are visible through the transparent area 509 become coloredand appear similar to the bars of barcode VI in the visible state 530and to the bars of barcode VII in the visible state 506. The coloredportion of the transparent area 509 which forms part of barcode VI,renders barcode VI unreadable. The colored portion of the transparentarea 509 which forms part of barcode VII in the visible state 506 can beread together therewith as a single barcode in the visible state 531,which is typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804115.Barcodes V and VIII remain unreadable and the indicator 500 thuspresents a single machine-readable barcode typically readable by abarcode reader as 7290003804115.

It is appreciated that the portion of the transparent area 509 whichforms part of barcode VI may be wider than the portion of thetransparent area 509 which forms part of barcode VII. Accordingly, ifthe temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional amountof time, the portion of the transparent area 509 which forms part ofbarcode VI continues to be colored thereby ensuring the unreadability ofbarcode VI.

Turning now to FIG. 5F, following the elapse of an additional amount oftime at a temperature of at least 21 degrees Celsius, for example 50additional minutes at 25 degrees Celsius, the coloring agent continuesto diffuse through the colorable element 515, such that the portions ofthe colorable element 515 which are visible through the transparent area510 become colored and appear similar to the bars of barcode VII in thevisible state 531 and to the bars of the barcode VIII in the visiblestate 507. The colored portion of the transparent area 510 which formspart of barcode VII renders barcode VII unreadable. The colored portionof the transparent area 510 which forms part of barcode VIII in thevisible state 507 can be read together therewith as a single barcode inthe visible state 532, which is typically readable by a barcode readeras 7290003804139. Barcodes V and VI remain unreadable and the indicator500 therefore presents a single machine-readable barcode typicallyreadable by a barcode reader as 7290003804139.

It is appreciated that the portion of the transparent area 510 whichforms part of barcode VII may be wider than the portion of thetransparent area 510 which forms part of barcode VIII. Accordingly, ifthe temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional amountof time, the portion of the transparent area 510 which forms part ofbarcode VII continues to be colored thereby ensuring the unreadabilityof barcode VII.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A-6F, which together are a simplifiedillustration of the construction and operation of one embodiment of thequality indicator 341 of FIG. 3C for indicating the exceedance of acombination of time and temperature. As seen in FIG. 6A, the qualityindicator, here designated by reference numeral 600, preferably includesa barcode defining layer 602, which is preferably printed on atransparent substrate. The printing on the transparent substratepreferably defines a background area, which is preferably printed withblack ink overprinted with white ink, a plurality of bars forming partof barcodes IX, X, XI and XII corresponding to barcodes IX, X, XI andXII of FIG. 3C in visible states 604, 605, 606 and 607, respectively,which are preferably printed with black ink, and a plurality oftransparent areas 608, 609 and 610 forming part of the barcodes, whichare preferably printed with light blue ink, such as Pantone No. 645,which has a visual appearance similar to that of the black inkoverprinted with white ink. Alternatively, the background area and thebarcode are printed in such colors as to define high contrasttherebetween.

The barcodes IX, X, XI and XII are preferably arranged in a stackedarrangement. Preferably, each of the transparent areas 608, 609 and 610forms part of two barcodes. Accordingly, the transparent area 608 formspart of barcodes IX and X, the transparent area 609 forms part ofbarcodes X and XI and the transparent area 610 forms part of barcodes XIand XII. The transparent areas preferably have the same width as asingle barcode bar. Alternatively, the width of any of the transparentareas 608, 609 and 610 is different from the width of a single barcodebar. Additionally, the width of the portion of a transparent area whichforms part of one barcode may be different from the width of the portionof the same transparent area which forms part of the other barcode.

Before actuation, the barcode in the visible state 604 of barcode IX ismachine-readable in this embodiment and is typically readable by abarcode reader as 7290003804108 and the visible states 605, 606 and 607of the respective barcodes X, XI and XII are not readable by a barcodereader. The indicator 600 therefore presents a single machine-readablebarcode typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804108.

Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 602 and preferably adheredthereto is a colorable element 615, such as Whatman No. 3 filter papercommercially available from Whatman International [CAT#: 1003917], whichuntil colored is normally white. The colorable element 615 preferablyextends behind the transparent area 609 but not behind the transparentareas 608 and 610. Also disposed behind the barcode defining layer 602and preferably adhered thereto is a colorable element 616, such asWhatman No. 3 filter paper commercially available from WhatmanInternational [CAT#: 1003917], which until colored is normally white.The colorable element 616 is preferably adjacent the colorable element615 and preferably extends behind the transparent area 610 but notbehind the transparent areas 608 and 609. Disposed behind the barcodedefining layer 602 and behind the colorable elements 615 and 616 is apull strip 620, corresponding to the pull strip 342 in FIG. 3C. The pullstrip 620 is preferably white and prevents the passage therethrough ofcoloring agents employed in this embodiment of the invention.Alternatively, the pull strip is transparent. Preferably, the pull strip620 is formed of polyester, for example Melinex®401, commerciallyavailable from DuPont of Wilmington, Del., and is preferably 75micrometers thick.

Disposed behind the pull strip 620 is a back layer 621 which ispreferably black. Preferably adhered to back layer 621 rearwardly ofcolorable element 615 but not rearwardly of transparent area 609 is atemperature responsive coloring element 622, such as a pad, for example,K-R; 210/34/28, commercially available from Noam-Urim of Kibbutz Urim,Israel, impregnated with a coloring agent, such as Sudan Black, a blackcolor dye [CAS: 4197-25-5], dissolved at a ratio of 1 gram per 1 kg in asolution of 74.25% Coconut oil [CAS: 8001-31-8], 24.75% Oleic acid [CAS:112-80-1] and 1% Hexanoic acid [CAS: 142-62-1]. 12 degrees. Alsopreferably adhered to the back layer 621 rearwardly of colorable element616 but not rearwardly of transparent area 610 and preferably adjacentcoloring element 622 is a temperature responsive coloring element 623,such as a pad, for example, K-R; 210/34/28, commercially available fromNoam-Urim of Kibbutz Urim, Israel, impregnated with a coloring agent,such as Sudan Black, a black color dye [CAS: 4197-25-5], dissolved at aratio of 1 gram per 1 kg in Coconut oil [CAS: 8001-31-8]. 21 degrees

Until such time as the pull strip 620 is removed, the quality indicator600 is nonresponsive to temperature changes.

Turning to FIG. 6B, once the pull strip 620 is removed, the qualityindicator 600 becomes responsive to temperature changes. As long as thetemperature at the quality indicator does not exceed a predeterminedtemperature, for example 12 degrees Celsius, for at least apredetermined cumulative amount of time, typically thirty minutes, theportions of the black back layer 621 which are visible through thetransparent area 608 appear similar to the bars of barcodes IX and X inthe respective visible states 604 and 605. The portion of the back layer621 which is visible through the part of the transparent area 608forming part of barcode IX in visible state 604 renders barcode IXunreadable by a conventional barcode reader. The portion of the backlayer 621 which is visible through the part of the transparent area 608forming part of barcode X in the visible state 605 can be read togethertherewith as a single barcode in a visible state 630, typically readableby a barcode reader as 7290003804122. Barcodes XI and XII remainunreadable and the indicator 600 therefore presents a singlemachine-readable barcode typically readable by a barcode reader as7290003804122.

Turning to FIG. 6C, when the pull strip 620 has been removed and whenthe temperature at the quality indicator exceeds 12 degrees Celsius, thecoloring agent in the coloring element 622 begins to melt and bereleased from the coloring element 622 and begins to diffuse through thecolorable element 615.

It is appreciated that if the temperature thereafter drops below 12degrees Celsius the coloring agent continues to diffuse through thecolorable element 615. If, after the temperature reaches 12 degreesCelsius, the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius, the coloringagent becomes solid and diffusion thereof through the colorable element615 is suspended until the temperature again reaches 12 degrees Celsius.

It is appreciated that the elapsed time from the start of diffusion ofthe coloring agent from the coloring elements 622 and 623 along therespective colorable elements 615 and 616 until portions of thecolorable elements 615 and 616 which are visible through the respectivetransparent areas 609 and 610 start to become colored is defined forexample by the lengths of the colorable elements 615 and 616 between thearea in front of coloring elements 622 and 623 and the area underlyingthe transparent areas 609 and 610. Additionally, this elapsed time is afunction of the material from which the colorable elements 615 and 616are made and the thickness thereof.

Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the coloring elements 622and 623 are positioned between the transparent areas 609 and 610 suchthat the elapsed time from the start of diffusion of the coloring agentsalong the colorable elements 615 and 616 until portions of the colorableelements 615 and 616 are visible through the respective transparentareas 609 and 610 is thirty minutes.

As seen in FIG. 6D, when the temperature is at least 12 degrees Celsiusfor at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, for examplethirty minutes, the coloring agent diffuses through the colorableelement 615, such that the portions of the colorable element 615 whichare visible through the transparent area 609 become colored and appearsimilar to the bars of barcode X in the visible state 630 and to thebars of barcode XI in the visible state 606. The colored portion of thetransparent area 609, which forms part of barcode X, renders barcode Xunreadable. The colored portion of the transparent area 609, which formspart of barcode XI in the visible state 606, can be read togethertherewith as a single barcode in the visible state 631, which istypically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804115. Barcodes IX andXII remain unreadable and the indicator 600 thus presents a singlemachine-readable barcode typically readable by a barcode reader as7290003804115.

It is appreciated that the portion of the transparent area 609 whichforms part of barcode X may be wider than the portion of the transparentarea 609 which forms part of barcode XI. Accordingly, if the temperatureis at least 12 degrees Celsius for an additional amount of time, theportion of the transparent area 609 which forms part of barcode Xcontinues to be colored thereby ensuring the unreadability of barcode X.

Turning to FIG. 6E, when the temperature at the quality indicatorexceeds 21 degrees Celsius, the coloring agent in the coloring element623 begins to melt and be released from the coloring element 623 andbegins to diffuse through the colorable element 616.

It is appreciated that if the temperature thereafter drops below 21degrees Celsius the coloring agent continues to diffuse through thecolorable element 616. If, after the temperature reaches 21 degreesCelsius, the temperature drops below 17 degrees Celsius, the coloringagent becomes solid and diffusion thereof through the colorable element616 is suspended until the temperature again reaches 21 degrees Celsius.

As seen in FIG. 6F, when the temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsiusfor at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, such as thirtyminutes, the coloring agent diffuses through the colorable element 616,such that the portions of the colorable element 616 which are visiblethrough the transparent area 610 become colored and appear similar tothe bars of barcode XI in the visible state 631 and to the bars ofbarcode XII in the visible state 607. The colored portion of thetransparent area 610, which forms part of barcode XI, renders barcode XIunreadable. The colored portion of the transparent area 609 which formspart of barcode XII in the visible state 607 can be read togethertherewith as a single barcode in the visible state 632, which istypically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804139. Barcodes IX andX remain unreadable and the indicator 600 therefore presents a singlemachine-readable barcode typically readable by a barcode reader as7290003804139

It is appreciated that the portion of the transparent area 610 whichforms part of barcode XI may be wider than the portion of thetransparent area 610 which forms part of barcode XII. Accordingly, ifthe temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional amountof time, the portion of the transparent area 610 which forms part ofbarcode XI continues to be colored thereby ensuring the unreadability ofbarcode XI.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7A-7G, which together are a simplifiedillustration of the construction and operation of one embodiment of thequality indicator 361 of FIG. 3D for indicating the exceedance of acombination of time and temperature. As seen in FIG. 7A, the qualityindicator, here designated by reference numeral 700, preferably includesa barcode defining layer 702, which is preferably printed on atransparent substrate. The printing on the transparent substratepreferably defines a background area, which is preferably printed withblack ink overprinted with white ink, a plurality of bars forming partof barcodes XIII, XIV, XV and XVI corresponding to barcodes XIII, XIV,XV and XVI of FIG. 3D in visible states 704, 705, 706 and 707,respectively, which are preferably printed with black ink, and aplurality of transparent areas 708, 709 and 710 forming part of thebarcodes, which are preferably printed with light blue ink, such asPantone No. 645, which has a visual appearance similar to that of theblack ink overprinted with white ink. Alternatively, the background areaand the barcode are printed in such colors as to define high contrasttherebetween.

The barcodes XIII, XIV, XV and XVI are preferably arranged in a stackedarrangement. Preferably, each of the transparent areas 708, 709 and 710forms part of two barcodes. Accordingly, the transparent area 708 formspart of barcodes XIII and XIV, the transparent area 709 forms part ofbarcodes XIV and XV and the transparent area 710 forms part of barcodesXV and XVI. The transparent areas preferably have the same width as asingle barcode bar. Alternatively, the width of any of the transparentareas 708, 709 and 710 is different from the width of a single barcodebar. Additionally, the width of the portion of a transparent area whichforms part of one barcode may be different from the width of the portionof the same transparent area which forms part of the other barcode.

Before actuation, the barcode in the visible state 704 of barcode XIIIis machine-readable in this embodiment and is typically readable by abarcode reader as 7290003804108 and the visible states 705, 706 and 707of the respective barcodes XIV, XV and XVI are not readable by a barcodereader. Thus, the indicator 700 in its first visible state presents asingle machine-readable barcode typically readable by a barcode readeras 7290003804108.

Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 702 and preferably adheredthereto is a colorable element 715, such as Whatman No. 3 filter papercommercially available from Whatman International [CAT#: 1003917], whichuntil colored is normally white. The colorable element 715 preferablyextends behind the transparent area 709 but not behind the transparentareas 708 and 710. Also disposed behind the barcode defining layer 702and preferably adhered thereto is a colorable element 716, such asWhatman No. 3 filter paper commercially available from WhatmanInternational [CAT#: 1003917], which until colored is normally white.The colorable element 716 is preferably adjacent the colorable element715 and preferably extends behind the transparent area 710 but notbehind the transparent areas 708 and 709.

Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 702 and behind the colorableelements 715 and 716 and preferably adhered thereto is a dissolvableactivation delay layer 717 formed, for example from Ethyl Cellulose[CAS#: 9004-57-3]. The activation delay layer 717 is dissolvable by asuitable solvent, as described hereinbelow, and until dissolved preventsthe passage therethrough of coloring agents employed in this embodimentof the present invention.

It is appreciated that the dissolvable activation delay layers 717 mayprovide selectable and possibly different delay durations over anysuitable range of durations which may extend from effectively zero toany suitable maximum. Such selectability may be effected, for example,by varying thickness, material, coatings and/or structure.

Disposed behind the activation delay layer 717, the barcode defininglayer 702 and the colorable elements 715 and 716 is a pull strip 720,corresponding to the pull strip 362 in FIG. 3D. The pull strip 720 ispreferably white and prevents the passage therethrough of coloringagents employed in this embodiment of the invention. Alternatively, thepull strip is transparent. Preferably, the pull strip 720 is formed ofpolyester, for example Melinex®401, commercially available from DuPontof Wilmington, Del., and is preferably 75 micrometers thick.

Disposed behind the pull strip 720 is a back layer 721 which ispreferably black. Preferably adhered to back layer 721 rearwardly of thecolorable element 715 and of the activation delay layer 717 but notrearwardly of transparent area 709 is a temperature responsive coloringelement 722, such as a pad, for example, K-R; 210/34/28, commerciallyavailable from Noam-Urim of Kibbutz Urim, Israel, impregnated with acoloring agent, such as Sudan Black, a black color dye [CAS: 4197-25-5],dissolved at a ratio of 1 gram per 1 kg in a solution of 74.25% Coconutoil [CAS: 8001-31-8], 24.75% Oleic acid [CAS: 112-80-1] and 1% Hexanoicacid [CAS: 142-62-1]. 12 degrees. Also preferably adhered to the backlayer 721 rearwardly of the colorable element 716 and of the activationdelay later 717 but not rearwardly of transparent area 710 andpreferably adjacent coloring element 722 is a temperature responsivecoloring element 723, such as a pad, for example, K-R; 210/34/28,commercially available from Noam-Urim of Kibbutz Urim, Israel,impregnated with a coloring agent, such as Sudan Black, a black colordye [CAS: 4197-25-5], dissolved at a ratio of 1 gram per 1 kg in Coconutoil [CAS: 8001-31-8]. 21 degrees

Adjacent the coloring elements 722 and 723 or combined therewith is asolvent 724, such as Methyl laurate [CAS #: 111-82-0] which, as notedabove, is operative to dissolve the dissolvable activation delay layer717, preferably after a predetermined period of time, which ispreferably measured in hours, such as eight hours. The solvent 724 maybe temperature-responsive.

Until such time as the pull strip 720 is removed, the quality indicator700 is nonresponsive to temperature changes.

Turning now to FIG. 7B, once the pull strip 720 is removed, the solvent724 begins to dissolve the dissolvable activation delay layer 717. Priorto the dissolvable activation delay layer 717 becoming permeable to thecoloring agents in the temperature responsive coloring elements 722 and723, the quality indicator 700 does not provide a readable indicationresponsive to temperature changes and the portions of the black backlayer 721 which are visible through the transparent area 708 appearsimilar to the bars of barcodes XIII and XIV in the respective visiblestates 704 and 705. The portion of the back layer 721 which is visiblethrough the part of the transparent area 708 forming part of barcodeXIII renders barcode XIII unreadable by a conventional barcode reader.The portion of the back layer 721 which is visible through the part ofthe transparent area 708 forming part of barcode XIV in the visiblestate 705 can be read together therewith as a single barcode in avisible state 730, typically readable by a barcode reader as7290003804122. Barcodes XV and XVI remain unreadable and the indicator700 in its second visible state presents a single machine-readablebarcode typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804122.

It is appreciated that the time needed to achieve dissolution ofdissolvable activation delay layer 717 may be determined for example bythe thickness thereof.

Turning now to FIG. 7C, once the dissolvable activation delay layer 717becomes permeable to the coloring agents in the temperature responsivecoloring elements 722 and 723, typically after 8 hours, the qualityindicator 700 becomes responsive to temperature changes. As long as thetemperature at the quality indicator does not reach a predeterminedtemperature for example 12 degrees Celsius, for at least a predeterminedcumulative amount of time for example for thirty minutes, the qualityindicator remains in the second visible state.

Turning to FIG. 7D, after the dissolution of the activation delay layer717, when the temperature at the quality indicator exceeds 12 degreesCelsius, the coloring agent in the coloring element 722 begins to meltand be released from the coloring element 722 and begins to diffusethrough the colorable element 715.

It is appreciated that if the temperature thereafter drops below 12degrees Celsius the coloring agent continues to diffuse through thecolorable element 715. If, after the temperature reaches 12 degreesCelsius, the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius, the coloringagent becomes solid and diffusion thereof through the colorable element715 is suspended until the temperature again reaches 12 degrees Celsius.

It is appreciated that the elapsed time from the start of diffusion ofthe coloring agent from the coloring elements 722 and 723 along therespective colorable elements 715 and 716 until portions of thecolorable elements 715 and 716 which are visible through the respectivetransparent areas 709 and 710 start to become colored is defined forexample by the lengths of the colorable elements 715 and 716 between thearea in front of coloring elements 722 and 723 and the area underlyingthe transparent areas 709 and 710. Additionally, this elapsed time is afunction of the material from which the colorable elements 715 and 716are made and the thickness thereof.

Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the coloring elements 722and 723 are positioned between the transparent areas 709 and 710 suchthat the elapsed time from the start of diffusion of the coloring agentsalong the colorable elements 715 and 716 until portions of the colorableelements 715 and 716 are visible through the respective transparentareas 709 and 710 is thirty minutes.

As seen in FIG. 7E, when the temperature is at least 12 degrees Celsiusfor at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, for examplethirty minutes, the coloring agent diffuses through the colorableelement 715, such that the portions of the colorable element 715 whichare visible through the transparent area 709 become colored and appearsimilar to the bars of barcode XIV in the visible state 730 and to thebars of barcode XV in the visible state 706. The colored portion of thetransparent area 709 which forms part of barcode XIV, renders barcodeXIV unreadable. The colored portion of the transparent area 709 whichforms part of barcode XV in the visible state 706, can be read togethertherewith as a single barcode in the visible state 731, which istypically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804115. Barcodes XIIIand XVI remain unreadable and the indicator 700 thus presents a singlemachine-readable barcode typically readable by a barcode reader as7290003804115.

It is appreciated that the portion of the transparent area 709 whichforms part of barcode XIV may be wider than the portion of thetransparent area 709 which forms part of barcode XV. Accordingly, if thetemperature is at least 12 degrees Celsius for an additional amount oftime, the portion of the transparent area 709 which forms part ofbarcode XIV continues to be colored thereby ensuring the unreadabilityof barcode XIV.

Turning to FIG. 7F, when the temperature at the quality indicatorexceeds 21 degrees Celsius, the coloring agent in the coloring element723 begins to melt and be released from the coloring element 723 andbegins to diffuse through the colorable element 716.

It is appreciated that if the temperature thereafter drops below 21degrees Celsius the coloring agent continues to diffuse through thecolorable element 716. If, after the temperature reaches 21 degreesCelsius, the temperature drops below 17 degrees Celsius, the coloringagent becomes solid and diffusion thereof through the colorable element716 is suspended until the temperature again reaches 21 degrees Celsius.

As seen in FIG. 7G, when the temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsiusfor at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, such as thirtyminutes, the coloring agent diffuses through the colorable element 716,such that the portions of the colorable element 716 which are visiblethrough the transparent area 710 become colored and appear similar tothe bars of barcode XV in the visible state 731 and to the bars ofbarcode XVI in the visible state 707. The colored portion of thetransparent area 710, which forms part of barcode XV, renders barcode XVunreadable. The colored portion of the transparent area 709 which formspart of barcode XVI in the visible state 707 can be read togethertherewith as a single barcode in the visible state 732, which istypically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804139. Barcodes XIIIand XIV remain unreadable and the indicator 700 therefore presents asingle machine-readable barcode typically readable by a barcode readeras 7290003804139

It is appreciated that the portion of the transparent area 710 whichforms part of barcode XV may be wider than the portion of thetransparent area 710 which forms part of barcode XVI. Accordingly, ifthe temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional amountof time, the portion of the transparent area 710 which forms part ofbarcode XV continues to be colored thereby ensuring the unreadability ofbarcode XV.

It is appreciated that instead of using a separate barcode forindicating different events, one or more barcodes may each be used forindicating multiple events. For example, if the addition of a firstbarcode bar causes a barcode in a first machine-readable state to assumean unreadable state and the addition of a second barcode bar causes thesame barcode in the unreadable state to assume a second machine-readablestate then the first machine-readable state may be used for indicatingone event and the second machine-readable state may be used forindicating a different event.

It is also appreciated that the background of the barcode defining layerof the indicator may be printed in a dark color and the bars of thebarcode may be printed in a light color.

It is further appreciated that coloring of a colorable area forming partof a barcode in a quality indicator may add or delete bars relative tothe barcode before coloring of the colorable area.

It is appreciated that an indicator may include one coloring elementwhich is located intermediate the ends of the barcodes forming part ofthe indicator and the coloring agent therein moves in more than onedirection following melting thereof. It is also appreciated that anindicator may include more than one coloring element arranged such thatthe coloring agents in the separate coloring elements move towards eachother following melting thereof. It is further appreciated that anindicator may include more than one coloring element arranged such thatthe coloring agents in the separate coloring elements melt and startmoving in response to exceedance of the same threshold.

It is appreciated that the melting of the coloring agent may be causedby a change in ambient parameters other than temperature, such as pH,humidity or the presence of certain chemicals, thereby enabling the useof the indicators described in the present invention for indicatingexceedance of thresholds relating to such parameters.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which illustrates the structure andoperation of a quality management system constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention in thecontext of a supermarket. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, packaged products800 each bear a barcoded quality indicator 801 of the general typedescribed hereinabove and illustrated in FIGS. 1A-7G and including oneor more of the operational and structural features describedhereinabove. As seen in FIG. 8, cartons 802 including packages 800bearing quality indicators 801, bear barcoded quality indicators 803 ofthe general type described hereinabove and illustrated in FIGS. 1A-7Gand including one or more of the operational and structural featuresdescribed hereinabove. Preferably, the barcoded quality indicators 803are different from the barcoded quality indicators 801.

As described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 1A and 2A, it is aparticular feature of the present invention that the time andtemperature thresholds of the quality indicators 801 and 803, placed onthe individual packages and the cartons containing them respectively,are preferably related in order to provide highly effective cold chainmanagement.

In the illustrated embodiment, the quality indicators 801 and 803preferably include an EAN (European Article Number) barcode complyingwith GS1 standards, as detailed above with relation to FIGS. 1A-1C. Whenread by a conventional barcode reader 804 or by a conventional checkoutscanner 806, quality indicators 801 and 803 provide barcode readerreadable indications of exceedance of one or more thresholds of productquality affecting parameters, such as temperature and/or elapsed timeand/or a combination of elapsed time and temperature to an indicationinterpreter which preferably forms part of or is otherwise connected toa quality indication computer 808. The quality indication computer 808may be remote from the indicator reader.

As indicated above with reference to FIGS. 1A-7G, the quality indicator801 preferably includes a first visible state, typically readable by abarcode reader as 7290003804108, a second visible state, typicallyreadable by a barcode reader as 7290003804122, and a third visiblestate, typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804115.

As indicated above with reference to FIGS. 1A-2C, the quality indicator803 preferably includes a first visible state, typically readable by abarcode reader as 7290003804146, a second visible state, typicallyreadable by a barcode reader as 7290003804153, and a third visiblestate, typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804160.

The quality indicators 801 and 803 may differ in that they havedifferent effective temperature and/or time thresholds and may alsoindicate exceedance of different quality affecting parameters.

It is further seen in FIG. 8 that in addition to receiving the outputindications provided by the indicator reader the quality indicationcomputer 808 also receives product-related parameters such as producttype, manufacturing date and package type, as shown in Table I.Additionally or alternatively, the quality indication computer 808 mayalso receive other parameters, for example information relating to thequality indicator, such as the range of parameters sensed by the qualityindicator, when the quality indicator was actuated, and whether thequality indicator includes a delayed activation feature.

In the illustrated embodiment, product identification information isentered by scanning additional indicators 810 and 812, including, forexample, a UPC code, which are attached to packages 800 and to cartons802, respectively. Alternatively, the product-related parameters and theother parameters, such as those relating to the quality indicator may beprovided by the quality indicators 801 and 803 themselves. As a furtheralternative, these parameters may be provided by sensors, a prioriinformation otherwise available to the indication interpreter or bymanual entry.

TABLE I PRODUCT PRODUCT MANUFACTURING PACKAGE CODE DESCRIPTION DATE TYPE6789 FRESH RIB 8 MAY 2008 INDIVIDUAL STEAK

As seen in the illustrated embodiment, the quality indication computer808 maintains a database which preferably includes at least an eventdescription table, such as Table II, and a product status table, such asTable III.

TABLE II EVENT INDICATOR BARCODE IDENTIFIER EVENT DESCRIPTION7290003804108 801 INDICATOR WAS NOT ACTUATED 7290003804146 803 INDICATORWAS NOT ACTUATED 7290003804122 801 INDICATOR WAS NOT EXPOSED TO ≧21DEGREES CELSIUS FOR ≧ TEN MINUTES 7290003804153 803 INDICATOR WAS NOTEXPOSED TO ≧12 DEGREES CELSIUS FOR ≧ ONE HOUR 7290003804115 801INDICATOR WAS EXPOSED TO ≧21 DEGREES CELSIUS FOR ≧ TEN MINUTES7290003804160 803 INDICATOR WAS EXPOSED TO ≧12 DEGREES CELSIUS FOR ≧ ONEHOUR

Upon receipt of inputs identifying a product as shown in Table I andoutput indications provided by a quality indicator reader indicating anevent described in Table II corresponding to the same product thequality indication computer 808 is operative to provide product qualitystatus outputs. In order to provide product quality status outputs thequality indication computer 808 is operative to employ a product statustable, such as Table III, typically including product description datasuch as product description, package type and indicator identifier, anevent barcode and a product status as follows:

TABLE III PRODUCT EVENT PRODUCT INDICATOR PRODUCT CODE BARCODE DESCR.PACKAGE IDENTIFIER STATUS 6789 7290003804122 FRESH INDIVIDUAL 801 OK RIBSTEAK 6789 7290003804115 FRESH INDIVIDUAL 801 BAD RIB STEAK 56897290003804160 FRESH CARTON 803 BAD RIB STEAK 4321 7290003804115 ORANGESINDIVIDUAL 801 QUICK SALE

As seen in the second and the third rows of Table III, time andtemperature thresholds of indicators 801 and 803, placed on theindividual packages 800 of a fresh rib steak and the cartons 802containing them respectively, are preferably related and calibrated withrespect to each other based, inter alia, on empirical data. This featureallows for the evaluation of quality of individually packaged productseven when it is not possible to open the cartons and examine individualpackages, such as for example, during transport.

As further seen in Table III, there may be a great variation in theeffect of a given event depending on the type of product. Thus, forexample, exposure to 21 degrees Celsius for a short period of time maycause fresh meat to be rendered unfit for sale but may only mildlyaffect the quality or oranges.

In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention, thebarcode may be read by a consumer employing an imager-equipped telephoneor other suitable mobile communicator 815 which may be identical tomobile communicator 128 in FIG. 1C or 228 in FIG. 2C. The communicator815 may image the quality indicators 801 or 803 and communicate theimage information to a suitably programmed quality indication computer817, which may be identical to computer 130 in FIG. 1C or 230 in FIG.2C, and to the computer 808, and which is capable of reading the barcodefrom the image information. The quality indication computer 817 providesto the user, via SMS or any other suitable communication methodology, animmediate indication of a quality status, such as a GOOD QUALITYindication 820. This quality status indicates that the product is safefor use. Alternatively, if the user employs a barcode reader-equippedcommunicator, the communicator can provide to the quality indicationcomputer 817 an output resulting from reading the barcode. Additionallyor alternatively, the quality indication computer 817 may providecoupons to the user corresponding to the state of the quality indicator.

Based on the scanned barcode and identification of the caller, thequality indication computer 817 provides product status information bothto quality assurance inspectors and to consumers. Additionally oralternatively, the quality indication computer 817 may send messages tothe supermarket management regarding remedial steps to be taken, such asrefrigeration maintenance instructions.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited by what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present inventionincludes both combinations and sub-combinations of various features ofthe invention and modifications thereof which may occur to personsskilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which arenot in the prior art.

1. A quality management system for products comprising: a multiplicityof barcoded quality indicators each operative to provide amachine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one time andtemperature threshold, each of said indicators comprising: a firstbarcode including at least one first colorable area, said first barcodebeing machine-readable before exceedance of said at least one time andtemperature threshold; at least a second barcode including at least onesecond colorable area, said second barcode not being machine-readablebefore exceedance of said at least one time and temperature threshold; acoloring agent located at a first location on said indicator; and acoloring agent pathway operative to allow said coloring agent to move,at a rate which is at least partially a function of time, from saidfirst location to said first and second colorable areas simultaneouslyfor simultaneous coloring thereof upon exceedance of said time andtemperature threshold, thereby causing said first barcode to becomeunreadable and at the same time causing said second barcode to becomemachine-readable; a barcode indicator reader operative to read saidbarcoded quality indicators and to provide output indications; and aproduct type responsive indication interpreter operative to receive saidoutput indications and to provide human sensible, product quality statusoutputs, each of said barcoded quality indicators being operative toprovide a single machine-readable barcode readable by said barcodeindicator reader, generally at all times including times prior to,during and immediately following exceedance of said at least one timeand temperature threshold.
 2. A quality management system according toclaim 1 and wherein said barcoded quality indicators comprise linearbarcodes.
 3. A quality management system according to claim 1 andwherein said first barcode and said at least second barcode are eachoperative to indicate a numerical or alphanumerical sequence.
 4. Aquality management system according to claim 1 and wherein said firstbarcode complies with a first barcode standard and said at least secondbarcode complies with a barcode standard different from said firstbarcode standard.
 5. A quality management system according to claim 1and wherein each of said multiplicity of barcoded quality indicatorsprovides a first machine-readable indication prior to said exceedance ofsaid at least one time and temperature threshold and a secondmachine-readable indication, different from said first machine-readableindication, following said exceedance of said at least one time andtemperature threshold.
 6. A quality management system according to claim1 and wherein at least one of said quality indicators is operative toprovide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of a time period ofless than ten minutes.
 7. A quality management system according to claim1 and wherein at least one of said quality indicators is operative toprovide indications of exceedance of several different thresholds.
 8. Aquality management system according to claim 1 and wherein at least oneof said quality indicators is operative to provide said machine-readableindication only following actuation thereof.
 9. A quality managementsystem according to claim 8 and wherein prior to said actuation said atleast one of said quality indicators is in a first visible state andfollowing said actuation said at least one of said quality indicators isin a second visible state, different from said first visible state, andwherein said at least one of said indicators is machine-readable atleast in said second visible state.
 10. A quality management systemaccording to claim 9 and wherein said at least one of said indicators isnot machine-readable when said at least one of said indicators is insaid first visible state.
 11. A quality management system according toclaim 9 and wherein said at least one of said indicators ismachine-readable when said at least one of said indicators is in saidfirst visible state.
 12. A quality management system according to claim1 and wherein at least one of said quality indicators is operative toprovide said machine-readable indication only upon activation thereofwhich occurs automatically a predetermined time following manufacture oractuation thereof.
 13. A barcoded quality indicator operative to providea machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one time andtemperature threshold comprising: a first barcode including at least onefirst colorable area, said first barcode being machine-readable beforeexceedance of said at least one time and temperature threshold; at leasta second barcode including at least one second colorable area, saidsecond barcode not being machine-readable before exceedance of said atleast one time and temperature threshold; a coloring agent located at afirst location on said indicator; and a coloring agent pathway operativeto allow said coloring agent to move, at a rate which is at leastpartially a function of time, from said first location to said first andsecond colorable areas simultaneously for simultaneous coloring thereofupon exceedance of said time and temperature threshold, thereby causingsaid first barcode to become unreadable and at the same time causingsaid second barcode to become machine-readable.
 14. A barcoded qualityindicator according to claim 13 and wherein said coloring agent pathwayis operative to allow said coloring agent to move by diffusing from saidfirst location to said first and said second colorable areas,
 15. Abarcoded quality indicator according to claim 13 and wherein generallyat any time prior to, during and immediately following exceedance ofsaid time and temperature threshold only one of said barcodes isreadable.
 16. A barcoded quality indicator according to claim 13 andwherein said first location is intermediate the ends of said first andsaid second barcodes.
 17. A barcoded quality indicator according toclaim 13 and wherein said quality indicator further comprises a pullstrip, said pull strip being suitable to prevent the passage of solventsand coloring agents therethrough before removal thereof, and whereinremoval of said pull strip actuates said indicator.
 18. A barcodedquality indicator according to claim 13 and wherein said qualityindicator further comprises an activation delay layer dissolvable by asolvent, said activation delay layer being suitable to prevent thepassage of coloring agents and solvents therethrough before dissolutionthereof and wherein said indicators are not activated until dissolutionof said delay layer.
 19. A method for providing quality management forproducts comprising: employing a multiplicity of barcoded qualityindicators each operative to provide a machine-readable indication ofexceedance of at least one time and temperature threshold, each of saidindicators comprising: a first barcode including at least one firstcolorable area, said first barcode being machine-readable beforeexceedance of said at least one time and temperature threshold; at leasta second barcode including at least one second colorable area, saidsecond barcode not being machine-readable before exceedance of said atleast one time and temperature threshold; a coloring agent located at afirst location on said indicator; and a coloring agent pathway operativeto allow said coloring agent to move, at a rate which is at leastpartially a function of time, from said first location to said first andsecond colorable areas simultaneously for simultaneous coloring thereofupon exceedance of said time and temperature threshold, thereby causingsaid first barcode to become unreadable and at the same time causingsaid second barcode to become machine-readable; each of said barcodedquality indicators being operative to provide a single machine-readablebarcode, generally at all times including times prior to, during andimmediately following exceedance of said at least one time andtemperature threshold, and reading said barcoded quality indicators toprovide output indications; receiving said output indications; andinterpreting said output indications to provide human sensible, productquality status outputs.
 20. A quality management system for productscomprising: a multiplicity of barcoded quality indicators each operativeto provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least onethreshold by one or more product quality affecting parameters, each ofsaid indicators comprising: a first barcode including at least one firstcolorable area, said first barcode being machine-readable beforeexceedance of said at least one threshold; at least a second barcodeincluding at least one second colorable area, said second barcode notbeing machine-readable before exceedance of said at least one threshold;a coloring agent located at a first location on said indicator; and acoloring agent pathway operative to allow said coloring agent to move,at a rate which is at least partially a function of time, from saidfirst location to said first and second colorable areas simultaneouslyfor simultaneous coloring thereof upon exceedance of said threshold,thereby causing said first barcode to become unreadable and at the sametime causing said second barcode to become machine-readable; a barcodeindicator reader operative to read said barcoded quality indicators andto provide output indications; and a product type responsive indicationinterpreter operative to receive said output indications and to providehuman sensible, product quality status outputs, each of said barcodedquality indicators being operative to provide a single machine-readablebarcode readable by said barcode indicator reader, generally at alltimes including times prior to, during and immediately followingexceedance of said at least one threshold.
 21. A quality managementsystem according to claim 20 and wherein one of said one or more productquality affecting parameters is time.
 22. A quality management systemaccording to claim 20 and wherein one of said one or more productquality affecting parameters is temperature.